Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 9: Kevin Kupietz with Elizabeth City State University

Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 9: Kevin Kupietz with Elizabeth City State University

by | Jan 21, 2025 | Bridging the Gap, IAEM Series, Preparedness Blog

Ron Crane of SummitET speaks with Kevin Kupietz, PhD, Emergency Management Professor at Elizabeth City State University, at the 2024 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference.

Elizabeth City State University logo

In this special IAEM series of “Bridging the Gap,” our host Ron Crane speaks with Kevin Kupietz, PhD, Emergency Management Professor and Chair of the Department of Aviation and Emergency Management at Elizabeth City State University. Ron and Dr. Kupietz discuss challenges and opportunities in Emergency Management education.

Emergency Management for Undergraduate Students

Elizabeth City State University’s aviation program uniquely integrates manned flight education along with unmanned aircraft systems and emergency management. Aviation students can minor in emergency management, and many incorporate cybersecurity training, including drones, into public safety and Homeland Security projects. Involving students in these initiatives in hands-on environments helps them better understand current threats.

“The strength of our program and our small university is our students.“

Practical experience in emergency management education is applied in many ways throughout the courses. For example, students are deployed with nonprofit organizations and set up shelters during power outages during real-world disaster response.

The Elizabeth City State University program also focuses largely on understanding and integrating community engagement and public education to change perceptions and improve preparedness.

Challenges & Advice in Emergency Management Education

According to Dr. Kupietz, a significant challenge is recruiting high school students into Emergency Management undergraduate programs. Many students and their parents are unaware of the career opportunities in the field, and often students discover their interest in Emergency Management inadvertently when filling an elective course.

Another perceived issue for new Emergency Management graduates is job placement. It is challenging to secure high-level positions without experience, but students can find opportunities in private industry and related fields. Dr. Kupietz advises students to be open to entry-level positions to gain practical experience.

Practical experience for Emergency Management students helps them understand the challenges of various tasks and become familiar with technology and social media. These real-life experiences develop a broad skill set and enable collaboration with others.

To learn more about Elizabeth City State University’s Aviation and Emergency Management program, visit https://www.ecsu.edu/academics/dept-avi-em/index.php.

Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Kevin Kupietz, PhD, Professor of Emergency Management at Elizabeth City State University

Kevin Kupietz, PhD, EFO

Emergency Management Professor and Chair of the Department of Aviation and Emergency Management at Elizabeth City State University

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Ron Crane

Associate VP, SummitET; Firefighter & HAZMAT Technician; Emergency Management SME

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Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 8: Jeremy Urekew and Garner Environmental

Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 8: Jeremy Urekew and Garner Environmental

by | Jan 13, 2025 | Bridging the Gap, IAEM Series, Preparedness Blog

Ron Crane of SummitET sits down with Jeremy Urekew, Senior Project Manager at Garner Environmental Services, at the 2024 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference.

Garner Environmental Services Logo

In this IAEM Conference Series episode of SummitET’s podcast Bridging the Gap, Ron Crane of SummitET and Jeremy Urekew discuss ideas for improving challenges in the Emergency Management field. Jeremy has a background in emergency management, fire service, hazmat response, and counterterrorism work. With 25 years of experience in the public sector, he moved to the private sector by joining Garner Environmental Services, Inc., a disaster and emergency response company headquartered in Houston, TX.

Challenges in Emergency Management

A common issue in the field is municipal governments’ lack of resources during disaster response, according to Jeremy. This might include financial resources, staffing, access to materials, etc.

“Being able to take any load off of an emergency manager’s plate is critical during a disaster response.“

Jeremy believes there is a strong need for better public-private collaboration in disaster response. Aligning private sector capabilities with public sector needs during emergencies involves establishing partnerships and trust among organizations before disasters occur. Conferences such as IAEM facilitate this by helping emergency managers build relationships with private sector entities, which can be important during disaster response.

Garner’s Footprint in North Carolina

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage and loss of life in in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia after making landfall on September 26, 2024. North Carolina was especially impacted, with over 100 deaths, thousands of homes destroyed, and widespread loss of critical services like water, sewer, electricity, telecommunications, and healthcare.

“Day 1, there’s no power, there’s no water. And if there’s no water, there’s no sanitation.“

Jeremy deployed on a team to North Carolina as a representative for Garner where they worked to bring in sanitation components from across the U.S. and build “sanitation camps” for communities to include laundry, showers, restrooms, etc. 

Garner set up a temporary logistics staging area that continues to evolve as, at their peak, the organization was supporting 350 different missions including armed security, water pressurization, critical infrastructure, and sanitation. When the public sector’s resources have been negatively impacted by the disaster, private organizations like Garner can step in to help.

“We’re the green light, give us a buzz.“

Garner prioritizes the sustainability of the communities it supports, so that they can continue their search and recovery efforts while getting back on track.

Building Trust and Partnerships in Emergency Management

A significant challenge working in the field of Emergency Management is the ability to trust others when responding to a disaster. The tendency for an emergency manager is to want to rely on the team they know and have trained with, but this limits the response capability. As a means to overcome this difficulty, it’s important to network and make connections ahead of a disaster. Events like IAEM are a great opportunity to connect with other emergency managers and build new partnerships.

Advice for New Emergency Managers

Jeremy advises new emergency managers to focus on gaining qualifications and real-world experience rather than just certifications. He emphasizes the importance of being able to perform tasks effectively and suggests supplementing public sector capabilities with private sector expertise when needed.

Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Jeremy Urekew

Jeremy Urekew

Senior Project Manager, Garner Environmental; HAZMAT Tech, CBRNE SME, Emergency Manager

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Ron Crane

Associate VP, SummitET; Firefighter & HAZMAT Technician; Emergency Management SME

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Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 7: The DHS Community Lifeline Status System with Hal Grieb

Bridging the Gap IAEM Series – Episode 7: The DHS Community Lifeline Status System with Hal Grieb

by | Jan 6, 2025 | Bridging the Gap, IAEM Series, Preparedness Blog

Adam Montella and Ron Crane of SummitET learn about the DHS-led Community Lifeline Status System project from emergency manager Hal Grieb of G&H International Services.

Community Lifeline Status System logo

In this IAEM Conference Series episode of SummitET’s podcast Bridging the Gap, Hal Grieb of G&H International Services introduces the Community Lifeline Status System (CLSS), a software reporting tool that operationalizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Lifelines construct. CLSS is an effort led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in collaboration with FEMA, to provide the emergency management community with a comprehensive, systematic approach to lifeline status planning, monitoring, and reporting across areas impacted by disaster. The reporting tool, which has been in development for about 2.5 years, is set to be released at no cost to all state, local tribes, and territories in April 2025.

Purpose of CLSS

This new tool aims to make lifelines more than just a conceptual idea by creating a repeatable framework for data-driven decisions, allowing emergency managers to easily assess and report on the status of critical community lifelines during a disaster. This approach enhances communication among executives and elected officials and allows for a deeper understanding of community indicators to prioritize and share resources effectively.

“CLSS is going to open the door to linking your plans that you’ve already written… to the data that you’re overwhelmed with.“

Over 220 agencies and 500 emergency managers have provided input to ensure that the tool is built for emergency managers by emergency managers.

FEMA Lifelines Drive Response flow chart

Source: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/community-lifelines

Introduction of Community Lifelines

Community Lifelines were introduced by FEMA in early 2019 to prioritize scarce resources for critical community services and increase effectiveness in disaster operations. Lifelines categorize essential services such as energy, communications, food/hydration/shelter, health and medical, safety and security, and more, and are designed to help local and state governments manage these services more efficiently.

Flexibility of the Tool

The Community Lifeline Status System Tool can be used for both response and recovery planning and allows for the consolidation of critical services under grouped categories, making it easier for smaller government staffs to manage multiple responsibilities.

The tool allows for customization of indicators by jurisdiction, as different communities have unique indicators of impact. This customization ensures that the tool is relevant and effective for various communities with different resources and capabilities.

Challenges in Emergency Management

In the episode, Hal shares that from his point of view, the problems in Emergency Management remain the same over his tenure in the field, however the tools and data available have changed significantly. The need for better data integration and analysis to make informed decisions and manage the overwhelming amount of data effectively is key to improving the field.

Hal notes that while the current tool does not incorporate AI, it lays the groundwork for future integration by creating a data architecture that can be fed into AI systems.

Potential Real-Life Application

Hal, the Jefferson County Emergency Management Director during the 2021 Marshall Fire near Boulder, Colorado, highlights the need for common language and predefined indicators in emergency communication. The CLSS tool offers a structured method for rapid emergency assessment and response by doing just that. For more information about this software system, reach out to Hal below to get connected. 

Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Hal Grieb with G&H International

Hal Grieb

Director of Delivery & Project Management, G&H International; Emergency Manager

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Adam Montella, Senior Vice President

Adam Montella

Executive VP, SummitET; Former GM of Emergency Management for the NY & NJ Port Authority

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Ron Crane

Associate VP, SummitET; Firefighter & HAZMAT Technician; Emergency Management SME

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SummitET Presents Exercises and Training Support at I/ITSEC 2024

SummitET Presents Exercises and Training Support at I/ITSEC 2024

by | Nov 20, 2024 | SummitET News

SummitET® is excited to present exercises and training capabilities at this year’s Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida from December 2 to 6, 2024.

For almost 60 years, professionals in modeling, simulation, and training have gathered annually at I/ITSEC with a shared objective: to enhance the effectiveness of these disciplines in the world’s most complex environments. The 2024 conference theme Assuring Deterrence Through Integrated Training and Readiness – The Need is Now! “resonates not only throughout our military structure and operations, but through our allies and partners who, like us, are increasingly facing great challenges.”

SummitET has quickly grown its reputation as a leader in developing and supporting preparedness solutions that prioritize industry best practices and the latest developments in learning and technology. Drawing on their diversity of experience in emergency management and response, communications, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) across military, government, and private sector applications, SummitET experts bring a comprehensive perspective to preparing for and managing a variety of risks. We provide solutions including full-scale field exercises, table-top exercises, plan development support, threat assessments, technical training and education, and beyond.

Schedule a Meeting

Use this calendar to schedule a meeting with our experts at I/ITSEC to discuss how we can support your trainings, simulations, planning, and more.

Training and Simulation Support:

CBRN Preparedness

Our preparedness capabilities include conducting threat assessments, developing response plans for potential threats, building training designed to mitigate the threats, and providing a suite of tailored workshops and exercises to test the readiness as well as providing the operational support an organization may require.

Strategic Communications Training

This includes comprehensive training in Joint Information System (JIS)/Joint Information Center (JIC) methodology and practices, risk and crisis communications, media relations, workshops, and exercises.

Social Media Simulation

Our training replicates real-world simulations conducted on closed native digital platforms to provide real-time, hands-on familiarity with social media tools and practices. 

Technical Consulting

Our diverse range of technical experts can support CBRNE effects modeling and simulation for realistic scenarios or augment exercises and training with technical support.

See our Exercise and Training Simulation Support Capabilities

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SummitET IITSEC Exercise Capabilities

Contract Vehicles 

SummitET holds government contract vehicles that allow us to provide technical, programmatic, and business support services to federal and state/local agencies. Additionally, we are a subcontract team member for DTRA’s Assessment, Exercises, Modeling, and Simulation Support (AEMSS) multiple award contract.

See all of our Contract Vehicles

Join the Workshop

SummitET experts Angela Leek, PhD, CHP and Jeff Skinner, MD will present a tutorial alongside colleague Nir Keren, PhD from Iowa State University:

Enhancing CBRN Response Readiness Using a Mental Model Matrix

Monday, December 2, 8:30-10:00am
Room 320F

Summary of Abstract:

Effectively addressing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats is crucial for military and emergency response teams, as these complex and rare incidents challenge responders’ preparedness. Traditional training often fails to capture the unpredictable nature of CBRN events, leading to gaps in responders’ mental models. This workshop presents an innovative approach that utilizes the Expected Mental Model State (EMMS) Diagnostic Matrix, an analytical tool designed to enhance cognitive strategies by aligning them with established military doctrines and emergency protocols. Participants will engage in discussions using case studies and data from practical exercises to identify gaps in mental models and refine training methodologies. By integrating military doctrine into the EMMS framework, the workshop aims to improve training resources and ensure that response teams are better equipped to handle the complexities of CBRN incidents.

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Angela Leek, PhD, CHP

Director of Radiological Solutions & Regulatory Affairs

Expert Feature
William "Jeff" Skinner, M.D.

Jeff Skinner, MD

Radiology Oncologist | CBRNE SME

Expert Feature

If you’re attending I/ITSEC, we welcome you to join us at this session to learn more. Read the full abstract on page 84 of the conference agenda.

Meet the Experts

Find SummitET experts at Booth #2457.

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Adam Montella

Executive Vice President

Expert Feature
John Duda, Chief Executive Officer and founding partner at SummitET

John Duda

Chief Executive Officer

Expert Feature
Andrew Manson Law Enforcement and CBRNE Subject matter expert

Andrew Manson

Program Manager | Law Enforcement and CBRNE SME

Expert Feature

Leave Us a Message

Get in touch with our experts before the conference to get additional information or set a meeting time.

SummitET News

SummitET Receives 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

SummitET Receives 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

by | Oct 31, 2024 | Awards, SummitET News

October 31, 2024 | St. Petersburg, FL

U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su recognized Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®) as one of 839 recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by U.S. Department of Labor. SummitET earned the Gold Medallion award for the fourth time since 2020. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans.

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John Duda, CEO

“We are honored to receive the HIRE Vets Medallion Award a fourth time, a testament to our dedicated team and unwavering values,” expressed John Duda, CEO of SummitET. “This award embodies our strategic efforts to recruit, retain, and empower veterans, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and unique skill sets that both strengthen our organizational capabilities and set us apart in the preparedness field.”

SummitET joins 838 other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans and ensuring long-term career and growth plan that utilizes diverse skills acquired through military service. 

Recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans.

About SummitET  

Summit Exercises and Training LLC (SummitET®) is a Florida-based, veteran-owned preparedness solutions company that provides proven full spectrum solutions to threats facing U.S. and international government and non-government organizations, as well as private entities through industry-leading experts and impeccable customer service. 

About the HIRE Vets Medallion Program 

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is earned by businesses that demonstrate unparalleled commitment to attracting, hiring and retaining veterans. The 2025 HIRE Vets Medallion Award application period will open to employers on Jan. 31, 2025. For more information about the program and the application process, visit HIREVets.gov. 

There are different awards for large employers (500-plus employees), medium employers (51-499 employees), and small employers (50 or fewer employees). Additionally, there are two award tiers: platinum and gold.

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