The topic of Russ’ presentation was “The Media – Friend or Foe?” It focused on Media Management and Crisis Communication, Risk Perception and Public Warning.  Additional discussion points included the inherent challenges and dynamics of human factors in communications. Russ provided guidelines to evaluate Risk Analysis, Preparedness and Response Operations and also included an overview of Strategies and Operational Procedures to enhance Business Continuity efforts.

 

(click here for speaker's slides) 

 

(click here for meeting minutes)

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TRCPA Business

Programs & Logistics (Carol Adams) 

Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI), Contingency Planning Management (CPM) and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)  has issued a Call for Papers for their upcoming conferences in 2005.

 

Once again in 2005, the TRCPA is looking into hosting the CBCP 501 Review Course/exam in Pittsburgh. We need a minimum of 8 people to confirm the course. The 601 Course for MBCP Certification is also being discussed (minimum of 8 persons to confirm the course).  Interested individuals should contact Carol Adams cadams@alcosan.org .

 

The next TRCPA meeting will be held 11/12 at Pittsburgh International Airport’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). More details will be forthcoming.  They are conducting a 'burn exercise' on 11/10, and we briefly discussed whether to move the date of our meeting, but this cannot be done due to a schedule conflict with the CPM East conference.

 

The remaining meetings for this year are scheduled for 1/14, 3/11, 5/13.

 

CPM is preparing to publish (Spring 2005) a book on common DR/BCP terminology.  Disaster Recovery Institute International has compiled terminology and it is available on the following website:  www.drii.org .  Additionally, terminology from an "All Hazards" approach, is available on the following website:  www.all-hands.net  .

 

Carol has free copies of the 9^th Annual Disaster Resource Guide (DRG) for all TRCPA members, that have been provided as a service by Tommy and Kathy Rainey (Disaster Resource Guide Board of Directors).  The online guide is available at :  www.disaster-resource.com .  The focus of the DRG includes Crisis and Emergency Management, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuity regarding Facility Issues, Human Concerns, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Planning & Management and Crisis Communications & Response.

 

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced in February (2004),  a new online course that will help first responders understand the concepts and principles underlying the new National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the importance of incorporating NIMS into their own planning  and policies.  More information can be found at www.fema.gov. The online class (IS-700 NIMS) is free and a certificate of completion will be provided.

Communications (George Mathews reporting for Sam Strohm)

TRCPA is working to have the website up and running in the very near future.  Watch your e-mail for details.

Emergency Management (Kathy Criss)

The TRCPA Business Liaison Position Description is now available. Volunteers are needed.

 

Envoy has agreed to provide the notification system for security alerts to TRCPA members. (Elaborate??)