In Case of Emergency, Read This Blog

In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness

Now Ready CERT Member Comes Off ‘Disabled List’ To Help Ready New Yorkers At “National Night Out”

August 3rd, 2010 · 2 Comments

I was thrilled tonight to be able to join my CERT team for the first time since my leukemia returned last November. I took part in the “National Night Out” along with members of our local NYPD precinct in Manhattan. We handed out ReadyNewYork pamphlets, though as I am still building up my stamina I [...]

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Tags: CERT · Preparedness Events

If Authorities Don’t Want Media/Public To Laugh Off Failed Terrorism Attempts, They Need To Offer More Information On Seriousness Of Threat

June 25th, 2010 · 2 Comments

In last weekend’s Wall Street Journal, Judith Miller had an interview about terror prevention with New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. It offers some useful insight on the NYPD’s efforts anti-terrorism efforts. But I wanted to highlight one particular point right at the beginning of the piece:
What rankles Raymond W. Kelly? Two things, he tells [...]

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Tags: Media · See Something/Terrorism Tips

To Strengthen ‘See Something, Say Something’, Public Should Know Something More

May 11th, 2010 · 1 Comment

All three cable news channels offered blanket coverage Friday afternoon of the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) investigation of a “suspicious” package in Times Square. It was only one of several phone tips that the NYPD’s Bomb Squad had checked out that day. Each turned out to be a false alarm but clearly more people [...]

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Tags: See Something/Terrorism Tips

Are Americans “Seeing” And “Saying” Enough? Times Square Incident Offers Opportunity To Assess, Improve Public’s Role In Homeland Security

May 5th, 2010 · 1 Comment

It was clearly not the aim of the alleged Times Square bomber to spotlight the role of the citizen as part of the U.S.’s homeland security effort in one of the nation’s most high profile — and lit — places. But he did. The T-shirt vendors who tipped off a New York City Police Department (NYPD) [...]

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Tags: Preparedness Ideas · See Something/Terrorism Tips

Citizen ‘Seeing Something & Saying Something’ To New York City Police Leads To Discovery Of Times Square Bomb

May 2nd, 2010 · 4 Comments

A crude bomb was found in the back of a Nissan Pathfinder in the middle of Times Square Saturday night after a T-shirt vendor on the street reported the car to a police officer. According to a New York Times story:
a T-shirt vendor on the sidewalk saw smoke coming out of vents near the back [...]

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Tags: See Something/Terrorism Tips

Is The Level Of Public Knowledge The Weak Link In Governmental ‘Dirty Bomb’ Preparedness?

April 19th, 2010 · 1 Comment

There was an interesting story on WNYC, the New York City National Public Radio affiliate, this weekend, “How NY Officials Prepare for Threat of Dirty Bomb,” by Bob Hennelly. The piece described the City’s extensive efforts to prevent and respond to the use of a so-called ‘dirty bomb,’ a traditional explosive laced with radiological material, [...]

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Tags: Nuclear Terrorism

“National Night Out” In Columbus Circle: Preparedness Info, Barbecued Hot Dogs/Burgers & NYPD Face Painting For Kids

August 5th, 2009 · No Comments

As part of yesterday’s “National Night Out Against Crime”, my Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) handed out preparedness information in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. We joined members of the New York City Police Fire & Parks Departments during the annual event, which aims to promote crime prevention awareness as well as strengthen ties between uniformed emergency agencies and [...]

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Tags: Preparedness Events

150 Fellow CERT Members & I Play ‘Victims’ In “Operation Safe PATH” Train Bombing Terrorism Drill At World Trade Center Site

May 18th, 2009 · 3 Comments

On Sunday, I participated in “Operation Safe PATH 2009,” the largest terrorism drill in New York City since 9/11. I was one of approximately 150 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members who played bombing ‘victims’ for the exercise.

I am standing outside the PATH train station near the site of World Trade Center along with other [...]

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Tags: CERT · Preparedness Events

Book Contest — “Securing The City: Inside America’s Best Counterterror Force – The NYPD”

March 16th, 2009 · 2 Comments

For the blog’s next Book Contest, we are giving away Christopher Dickey’s terrific new Securing The City: Inside America’s Best Counterterror Force — The NYPD. Thanks to Dickey and his publisher, Simon & Schuster. 
Contest Rules: “Securing The City” provides a great behind-the-scenes look at the anti-terrorism efforts of the New York Police Department which is considered [...]

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Tags: City Preparedness · Contests

Manhattan CERT Training Night

May 9th, 2008 · No Comments

 
Last night, I attended a CERT Training for Manhattan team members at Lehman College which featured presentations from officials from the New York City Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department and Police Department officials. 
NYFD Captain Joe Brosi, a CERT Liaison and team trainer, (pictured above) reviewed the Incident Command structure under which we work during an emergency. Because CERT [...]

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Tags: CERT