For Immediate Release
#37-21

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT'S LATEST 'PREP TALK' PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR OFFICIALS IN SAN JUAN

#PrepTalkNYC {Click to listen to episode 70}

July 28, 2021 — Three New York City Emergency Management Department staff members and a member of the New York City Police Department recently traveled to Puerto Rico to provide emergency preparedness training to senior leaders in San Juan. The training exercise is part of a partnership announced by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero between the two cities. During the visit, the group also visited officials in Peñuelas to discuss how the municipality is recovering following the 2020 earthquakes. On the latest episode of "Prep Talk," NYC Emergency Management Deputy Commissioner Henry Jackson and Director of Government Relations Yokarina Duarte discuss their multiple deployments to Puerto Rico and reflect on some of the challenges still facing the island following Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the 2020 earthquakes. The guests also talk about New York City's unique partnership with San Juan, and the need for continued city-to-city collaboration.

"The key is do it the right way – to start to plan with individuals before an emergency happens," said Jackson. "If we understand who the players are and how they operate, we can be more effective in supporting recovery efforts during a future emergency."

You can listen to the latest episode on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spreaker.

Profile:

Henry Jackson is the chief operating officer at NYC Emergency Management with overall responsibility for agency business operations. Prior to his appointment as chief operating officer, Jackson served as deputy commissioner for technology and strategic resources. In that role, Jackson managed the logistics division, information technology, and support services, and has held other leadership roles since he began working at NYC Emergency Management since 1999. In addition, from 1986-1997 Jackson served in various technical and support capacities in the NYC Office of the Mayor for several mayors. A graduate of Hobart College, Jackson also holds a master's degree in public administration from New York University.

Yokarina Duarte is the director of government relations at NYC Emergency Management. Duarte oversees the day-to-day intergovernmental affairs operations for NYC Emergency Management. She leverages partnerships and builds relationships with elected officials and their staff to increase the capacity of NYC Emergency Management to provide direct outreach to communities and key stakeholders, and oversees the development and implementation of the agency’s legislative agenda and help to coordinate the review and analyze of all city, state and federal legislation that impact NYC Emergency Management.

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