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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT’S LATEST ‘PREP TALK’ PODCAST EPISODE DISCUSSES THE MULTIAGENCY EFFORT BEHIND PLANNED EVENTS LIKE THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE

   ‘PREP TALK’ (Click to listen to episode 93) 

 

 

November 21, 2024 — As New Yorkers and visitors from all over the globe prepare to descend on the Big Apple for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year’s Eve, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and its partners are finalizing plans and preparing for any possible man-made or weather-related incidents that may impact the activities. 

On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk,’ staff from NYCEM discuss their roles during large scale planned events and the importance of collaboration and communications. With over 50 years of experience combined, NYCEM executive director of response operations Wess Doskocil, director of field response McCharles Bouzy, and director of public warning Nick Narine share some of the preparations taken by New York City for two of the world’s largest parades and celebrations. Learn more about the operations behind planned events and the multiagency effort on the latest issue of Domestic Preparedness.

“The response support unit, they are walking the routes several times in the weeks prior to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said NYC Emergency Management Executive Director of Response Operations Wess Doskocil. “They are mapping out the route and looking to see if there are any scaffolds that need to be moved back, if lampposts need to be flipped to the opposite direction, or any other obstructions.”

“We work with NYPD, DOT, Parks, the Mayor’s Office, New York State, Macy’s of course,” said NYC Emergency Management Director of Field Response McCharles Bouzy. “The day starts off very early. I arrive around 4 a.m. and do walk throughs or drive throughs because the route is so long, set up our command vehicles, and that’s how the day starts.”

“One of the things we’ll do is activate our short code messaging,” said NYC Emergency Management Director of Public Warning Nick Narine. “Right now, you can text the word ‘thanksgiving’ to the number 692-692 and opt to receive messaging specifically for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That’s really helpful for visitors who may not want to opt-in to Notify NYC long term. Any hazards happening on the parade route, you’ll be the first to know.”

You can listen to the latest ‘Prep Talk’ episode on SoundCloud.

Profiles

Wess Doskocil is the Executive Director of Response Operations for the New York City Emergency Management Department, where he oversees both the Field Response Unit and the Response Support Unit. NYCEM Field Response Unit provides expertise in emergency management to the command element during emergency responses and recovery operations to ensure timely and efficient progress of incidents, event resolution and eventual recovery, while the NYCEM Response Support Unit conducts public safety planning, preparedness, and response for citywide special events. Doskocil has been with the New York City Emergency Management Department for over twenty-two years where he has responded to and helped recover from some of New York’s most catastrophic emergency situations.

McCharles Bouzy is the Director of Field Response at NYCEM where he is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Field Response Unit. The Field Response Unit is responsible for coordinating multiagency responses to emergencies, including severe weather, planned events, and other hazards. The unit is staffed by over 20 professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. Bouzy holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay College. 

Nick Narine is the Director of Public Warning at NYCEM where he is responsible for managing New York City's official source for emergency information, Notify NYC. The Public Warning unit operates 24/7x365 to ensure New Yorkers are provided with timely, accurate, and verified information. Narine is also responsible for managing the City’s use of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS). Through these systems, he strives to ensure New Yorkers are informed whether they’re a lifelong resident or first-time visitor. Narine holds a bachelors in homeland security from St. John’s University.

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