Celebrating the Chapter’s first year in its new headquarters were, from left, Richard Kane, ARC/GNY Chief Administrative Officer, who directed all aspects of building construction; Joseph Bruno, NYC OEM Commissioner; Herman Schaffer, OEM Community Outreach & Disaster Education Coordinator; Jeanine Pekkarinen, ARC/GNY Director, Community Outreach & Preparedness; and Theresa A. Bischoff, ARC/GNY CEO.
(Photo: Anita Salzberg)

Joseph F. Bruno, Commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), was the keynote speaker at an All Staff Meeting of the Greater New York Chapter on Wednesday, September 19, that celebrated the first anniversary of the Chapter's move to its new headquarters building at 520 West 49th Street. 

The Commissioner congratulated the Chapter on its state-of-the-art facility, which allows it to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies and disasters, and lauded the partnership between the Red Cross and OEM. "Collaboration between our agencies on plans and programs to help prepare all New Yorkers for the unexpected has never been stronger,” he said.

He went on to touch on the many ways the Chapter and OEM plan for and respond to emergencies and disasters, working together daily, in command centers and on the streets, during large disasters like the Brooklyn tornado and the Grand Central stem pipe explosion, and less publicized emergencies like the recent building collapse on West 150th Street in Manhattan, occur.

Mr. Bruno also discussed the collaboration between the two agencies on programs to help prepare all New Yorkers for the unexpected. “We are reaching more people in vulnerable populations and areas of the city with more information than ever,” he said of recent expanded outreach efforts spearheaded by Herman Schaffer of OEM and the Chapter"s Community Outreach and Area Office teams.

“It’s a source of comfort to me that the Red Cross is there and the people of the City of New York are protected,” Mr. Bruno concluded.

Chapter CEO Theresa Bischoff praised the two agencies for “Forging our partnership while retaining our unique identities to help New Yorkers at the time when they need us most.”

Jeanine Pekkarinen, ARC/GNY Director, Community Outreach and Preparedness, then gave a lively presentation on preparedness training. After reviewing the results of an online employee readiness survey, in which the organization collectively scored an 84, she reviewed the key steps everyone can take to be better prepared—Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed. Jeanine encouraged staff members to get the supplies and make the plans necessary so they are ready for whatever may occur—and to become “Ambassadors of Preparedness,” telling family, neighbors, colleagues and friends the importance of getting prepared—before disaster strikes.