Chuck Lanza

September 11, 2001 – A Remembrance On the morning of September 11th 2001, all over the United States, people started their day, just like every other day. Many going to work, some took their children to school or did a myriad of other things done routinely by parents, friends, families. At that same time 19 men started their day, precisely mapped out for them. Experts have, and will continue to argue whether their plans were developed, then carried out as a response to poverty, hatred of a way of life or some other unknown or unfathomable reason. Whatever the reason, whatever their motives, they would that morning initiate an attack that would change America and Americans forever. I have three purposes today: to provide a brief personal remembrance of the sights, sounds and feelings I experienced during the days around September 11th, a review of some of the actions taken by your government, federal, State and local to protect you. And some insight into what the future holds. We are reminded to never forget, but in future generations the events of September 11th will only be a section of history books not holding the same level of consequence or pain as the original event. Maybe that is part of healing, as time will certainly moderate the pain and memories of the horrific event. But today, we remember the event that is so vividly ingrained in many of our minds. For many of you, too young to remember September 11th, be[…]

September 11, 2001 – A Remembrance

On the morning of September 11th 2001, all over the United States, people started their day, just like every other day. Many going to work, some took their children to school or did a myriad of other things done routinely by parents, friends, families. At that same time 19 men started their day, precisely mapped out for them. Experts have, and will continue to argue whether their plans were developed, then carried out as a response to poverty, hatred of a way of life or some other unknown or unfathomable reason. Whatever the reason, whatever their motives, they would that morning initiate an attack that would change America and Americans forever. I have three purposes today: to provide a brief personal remembrance of the sights, sounds and feelings I experienced during the days around September 11th, a review of some of the actions taken by your government, federal, State and local to protect you. And some insight into what the future holds. We are reminded to never forget, but in future generations the events of September 11th will only be a section of history books not holding the same level of consequence or pain as the original event. Maybe that is part of healing, as time will certainly moderate the pain and memories of the horrific event. But today, we remember the event that is so vividly ingrained in many of our minds. For many of you, too young to remember September 11th, be thankful. For those of us to[…]

Who is Shorty Bryson? Please see my post

Who is Shorty Bryson? Please see my post at http://ow.ly/64hgj

Who is Shorty Bryson?

Who is Shorty Bryson? Over the last few days, my phone rang off the hook with calls about Shorty Bryson. Having worked with Shorty I am able to give you some background and can provide my expectations.  Chief Bryson will come to the department with a broad background in the fire service and labor relations.  He has been on both sides of the table as a fire chief and union president.  He has excelled in both positions.   He was the City of Miami Fire Chief for several years, most of the time maintaining and improving services during extremely terrible financial times.  Since 1978 when I joined the fire service, I do not recall any other time that our department has faced such difficult financial threats.  The most recent budget submitted by the mayor, has revenues of $352 million down from $404 million last year and down a whopping $72 million from fiscal year 08-09.  The mayor’s budget calls for a reduction in force of 169 positions from last year.  Chief Bryson will come to the department with a mandate to work within this financial framework and, based on my knowledge of Miami-Dade politics, maintain or improve services.  This is a very daunting task!       Although there has been a great deal of competition between Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the City of Miami Fire Rescue the departments are more similar than they are dissimilar.  Both provide the same fire and EMS services.  Each has a world-renowned Urban Search and Rescue Team and[…]

Today in 1969 and 1976 space history was

Today in 1969 and 1976 space history was made. Neil Armstrong the first man to walk on the moon and Viking I lands on Mars. More to come?

Broward County to Participate in 2011 Statewide Hurricane Exercise

Post-Landfall “Hurricane Griffin” Simulation is Planned for Wednesday, May 25 DATE: May 24, 2011 CONTACT: Judy Sarver, Director Broward County Office of Public Communications PHONE: 954-357-7583 In preparation for the 2011 hurricane season, all Broward County agencies and community emergency response partners who play a role during activations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will participate in a daylong emergency simulation exercise, titled “Hurricane Griffin,” from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Wednesday, May 25, at the EOC, 201 N.W. 84th Ave., Plantation. The local exercise is part of a statewide exercise during Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 22-28. Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. The simulation will test the County’s readiness to respond to and recover from an emergency, such as a hurricane, and provide emergency responders with an opportunity to gain “hands on” experience with disaster preparedness, response and recovery procedures.  The fictional “Hurricane Griffin” will follow a track similar to that of Hurricane Frances in 2004, except that it will take a more southern track resulting in a direct hit to Broward County as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing with it causalities, widespread damage to homes and businesses, and extensive flooding resulting in public health hazards including waterways contaminated by sewage and other hazardous substances. The focus of the exercise will be on post-landfall response and recovery activities. According to Chuck Lanza, director of Broward County Emergency Management Division, the exercise follows guidelines established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. “This exercise will help all first responders to test and refine their emergency operating procedures to[…]

RT @chucklanza: Today we thank the peace

RT @chucklanza: Today we thank the peace officers throughout our country. http://chucklanza.net/2011/05/15/today-we-thank-the-peace-officers-throug/

Celebrate our Nation’s Peace Officers

President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day.  Today we honor the men and women who each and every day keep us safe.  They work long hours and place their lives on the line every time they don their uniforms.  Today, let us give them the recognition and thanks they deserve each and every day. The following is part of the 1962 Congressional resolution signed by President Kennedy. Whereas the police officers of America have worked devotedly and selflessly in behalf of the people of this Nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves; and Whereas these officers have safeguarded the lives and property of their fellow Americans; and Whereas by the enforcement of our laws, these same officers have given our country internal freedon from fear of the violence and civil disorder that is presently affecting other nations; Whereas these men and women by their dedicated efforts have earned the gratidtude of the Republic; Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President is authorized and requested to issue proclamations designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. NOTE: Excerpts taken from The American Patriot’s Almanac: Daily Readings On America

Case Study: Public Communication Failure for Japanese Nuclear Power Plant Event

This chapter has focused on the mechanism for successfully communicating risk. In many ongoing events, the basic set of guidelines established here, do not always work perfectly because of the suddenness, depth and breadth of the event. A case in point is the recent cascade of major events in Japan including an earthquake, tsunami, and a severely damaged nuclear power plant. On a backdrop of significant infrastructure damage, personal loss and tragedy, and chaos in many, if not all aspects of communication, the risks to the local community and the world from a nuclear power plant failure had to be communicated. Throughout the world, there are well researched and well-trained communications procedures for keeping communities abreast of the current, as well as the potential, threat from a static or dynamic event at a nuclear power plant. How did these communications procedures work following the one-two punch of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? There are three major parties providing either formal or informal risk communications relating to plant conditions, the immediate threat to residents and workers near the plant, and the threat to people out of country who face radioactive contamination from material carried by the wind. The first is the company, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The second is the government, and finally the international media. The 24/7 nature of the media, especially cable television increased the breadth and depth of the coverage but may also have contributed to the deluge of poorly vetted information and contradictory protective actions[…]

From Stratfor Online: Clashes in Tripoli

Published on STRATFOR (http://www.stratfor.com) Home > Clashes in Tripoli Clashes in Tripoli Created Feb 21 2011 – 06:18 Emerging reports early Feb. 21 indicate the unrest in Libya is spreading from eastern Libya to the capital of Tripoli. According to initial reports, heavy gunfire was heard in central Tripoli and in other districts, with Al Jazeera reporting 61 people killed in Tripoli on Feb. 21. Other unconfirmed reports say protesters attacked the headquarters of Al-Jamahiriya Two television and Al-Shababia as well as other government buildings in Tripoli overnight. According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, the People’s Conference Centre where the Libyan parliament meets when it is in session in Tripoli was set on fire. Energy company BP reportedly said it would evacuate its personnel from Libya and suspend its activities due to massive unrest. Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez said Feb. 21 that the EU member states are coordinating possible evacuations of European nationals from Libya. A Turkish Airlines flight was arranged to evacuate Turkish citizens from Benghazi but was denied the opportunity to land by Libyan authorities and returned to Turkey. Details are sketchy as to the number of protesters and severity of the clashes in Tripoli. Clashes have been going on between the protesters and security forces mostly in eastern cities of the country and in Benghazi in particular, where opposition to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is concentrated. Signs of protests spreading to Tripoli emerged late Feb. 20 and apparently intensified following a speech made by Gadhafi’s son, Seif al-Islam. In that[…]