On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Sonja Orgias, acting deputy chief counsel and co-chair of the equity and diversity council at NYC Emergency Management, discusses this employee-led initiative, the importance of diversity and inclusion in hiring practices and emergency operations, as well as mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. She also shares how a lack of diversity in the emergency management field can adversely affect the communities that are being served. Orgias also provides best practices and discusses working with different agencies to highlight social issues and how accessibility needs are being addressed in the workplace.

Prep Talk - Episode 77: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Emergency Management

On this episode of “Prep Talk” Christina Curry, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities, the first African American woman in the role, discusses how she became an advocate for the deaf and people with disabilities. Curry also talks about the many challenges people with disabilities face and how they may differ for people of color. She shares the importance of having diverse voices, especially when it comes to planning for and mitigating emergencies. She also discusses her goals for the agency and things everyone should be mindful of when interacting with people with disabilities. On this episode two ASL interpreters, Emilio Garcia and Jason Colon were present to ensure more accessibility. The transcript can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3JWAgCg

Creating a more inclusive city: A discussion with NYC MOPD Commissioner Christina Curry

Women's History Month

On this episode of “Prep Talk” Camille Joseph Varlack, chief of staff to the Mayor of New York City, shares her story about what inspired her to pursue a career in law, challenges women still face in the workplace, and what she hopes to accomplish in her current role. Varlack also discusses what led her to a career in public service and why she eventually started her own law practice. Throughout her career she has overseen the City and State’s response to various emergencies and talks about which disaster was the most difficult to navigate, as well as the most rewarding thing about assisting New Yorkers during emergencies.

Women's History Month with Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack

National Volunteer Month

On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk’, Cari Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, discusses the dangers of extreme heat during the summer months. Ms. Olson shared what precautions New Yorkers should take to beat the heat, and how the city responds to heat emergencies.

“My team is responsible for building a foundation of environmental health data and research, that is then used to improve the health of all New Yorkers,” said Cari Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “For example, we track the health impacts of heat and who is most vulnerable. The triggers for a heat emergency issued by the National Weather Service and Emergency Management are based on data we compiled. As we began collecting data we observed that, once the heat index hits 95 or above, and that is a combination of heat and humidity, there was an exponential increase in deaths from heat in our vulnerable communities.”

To prevent heat illness and learn more ways to beat the heat, visit NYC Emergency Management’s Beat the Heat website at NYC.gov/beattheheat, or DOHMH’s Extreme Heat and Your Health page at nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-heat.page.

Beat the Heat with Health Tips from the NYC Department of Health

In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, the latest episode of New York City Emergency Management’s Spanish podcast ¡Prepárate!, features Ernesto Morales, alerts coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s San Juan, Puerto Rico office. As part of the National Weather Service team in Puerto Rico, Morales coordinates messages before and during weather events impacting the island. On the heels of the one-year anniversary since Hurricane Fiona, Morales stresses that being prepared can save lives and help with response operations by emergency responders.

Episodio 18: Ernesto Morales From NOAA Discusses the Importance of Messaging Before Emergencies

First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell and Director of Individual Preparedness Abby Banks discuss the Ready NY and CERT programs for the 20th anniversary.

Prep Talk - 20th Anniversary of Ready NY and CERT

NYC Emergency Management's latest episode of ¡PREPÁRATE! talks with Commissioner Manuel Castro from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the agency's role in serving immigrant communities of new York.

Preparate Episosde 19 Castro MOIA

Un episodio especial dedicado al Mes del Voluntariado, con la participación del estimado invitado Matt Lyttle, Director del Segmento de Defensa y Seguridad en Guidehouse, una firma consultora de gestión global. La copresentadora Yokarina Duarte conversa con Lyttle sobre su experiencia como voluntario del Cuerpo de Paz en Nicaragua, lo cual lo preparó para una carrera dedicada a la resiliencia comunitaria ante desastres en Estados Unidos y América Latina. Los oyentes aprenderán cómo ellos también pueden ser voluntarios para ayudar a sus comunidades a prepararse y responder ante desastres, y el impacto significativo que pueden tener como voluntarios.

Prep Talk - Episode 77: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Emergency Management

NYC Emergency Management

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