G8 / G20

Having returned from a successful Huntsville G8 assignment, it is disappointing to see the violence caused by a group of criminals posing as protesters at the Toronto G20.

In a blog posting (May 1, 2010) we spoke about some of the planning and tactics being undertaken by Black Bloc organizers. Unfortunately, many media reporters are acting like the actions of these criminals is a total surprise. And of course, the sensationalism of some media outlets makes it appear that the entire city is under siege. While some incidents escallated quickly it was contained to a small section of a very large city.

From our perspective we would like to congratulate the police on their restraint and professional handling of situations that have the potential to be very dangerous. Over the next few days many analysts, including the media, governments and those within the police services, will review and re-review the occurrences in Toronto over the past couple of days.

The Huntsville G8 operation was extremely impressive. The level of detail and size of the operation took many months of inter-agency planning and coordination. I'm sure the logistics for Toronto were equally daunting. Well done to all those involved.

Emergency Preparedness for Long Term Care & Retirement Homes Seminar

Emergency Management & Training Inc. is proud to host the second annual Emergency Preparedness for Long Term Care and Retirement Homes seminar - September 15 & 16, 2010.

This seminar is 50% SOLD OUT!!! as of June 19.

This intensive 2 day seminar is designed for Owners, CEOs, Administrators, Directors of Care, Department Managers, Health & Safety officers, and Emergency Planners.

Long Term Care Facilities, Retirement Homes and Special Care Homes have a special responsibility to their clients and residents. Poorly handled emergencies can result in injury/death to residents/clients, critical media attention, governmental or police investigations, disciplinary action for employees, civil liability, and even criminal charges for Corporate Directors, Administrators and Managers.

Emergency Management & Training Inc. is hosting this 2 day seminar to assist facilities in the development and enhancement of their emergency plans and training programs.

What are the leading risks in Long Term Care and Retirement facilities? Fire! Missing residents! Violent / Aggressive persons! Power Interruptions! What are the vulnerabilities specific to your facility?

Topics covered in this special seminar will include:

• New MOHLTC standards for emergency procedures
• Incident Management System
• Code White (workplace violence)
• Code Yellow (missing person)
• Code Red (fire and explosions)
• Code Black (bomb threat)
• Emergencies external to your site
• An overview of other emergencies
• Media communication strategies
• Communicating with Stakeholders
• Implementing your plan
• Training staff on emergency plans
• Emergency exercises (table top, functional, full scale and evacuations)

Participants will work through the process of developing a procedure for their facility.

Registration includes: emergency preparedness seminar, lunch and snacks each day, special speakers, workbook, certificate of attendance.

This jam packed 2 day seminar is only $699.

Save $100 on registrations received by June 30, 2010

Register by June 30, 2010 for $599.

Lunch and snacks included!

Space is limited. Register TODAY!

Free gift for the first 12 registrants.

To register: Send an email to dculley@emergencymgt.com


Date: September 15 & 16, 2010

Location:
Novotel Toronto Vaughan Centre
200 Bass Pro Mills Dr.
Vaughan ON L4K 0B9
Room reservations 1.905.761.0847

Discounted room rate $149 if reserved by August 15, 2010.


Seminar Speakers include:



Wieslawa Stepkowska is the Assistant Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer of a 391 bed Long Term Care facility which also provides a multitude of Community Services programs for the elderly in a culturally sensitive environment.

Wieslawa holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and is a Registered Dietitian. She is also a Certified Long Term Care Administrator and is a member of the Canadian College of Health Services Executives.

She is an emergency management champion and was the catalyst in the development of the Emergency Management System for her facility and is responsible for communication, implementation and staff training.


Antonio Ferreira is the Manger of Environmental Services, as well as Fire Safety Officer at a 391 bed Long Term Care facility in Toronto.

Over the last 20+ years, Antonio’s Facility Management career evolved in such distinguished organizations as Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Bishop Strachan School - the oldest and one of the most prestigious day and boarding schools for girls in Toronto.

Antonio brings a comprehensive knowledge of building operations and emergency systems including HVAC Systems, safety and building control systems and Fire Alarm Systems. Antonio was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Emergency Management System at a large LTC facility and continues to be responsible for Staff Safety Education in the facility.

You will find Antonio’s training as the Fire Safety Officer and a solid hands-on knowledge of Emergency and Disaster Planning valuable as he demonstrates his training program.


Darryl Culley is the President of Emergency Management & Training Inc. (EMT) and has 28 years of emergency services leadership and health care administration.

In addition to his extensive emergency management background, Darryl was the CEO/Administrator of a 157 bed independent Long Term Care/Retirement facility for 6 years. The combined backgrounds brings unique insight into emergency preparedness planning / training for Long Term Care and Retirement Homes

Darryl has lead EMT’s role in major emergency management projects for organizations including Public Health Canada, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, ORNGE, Sunnybrook Osler Centre for Prehospital Care and various health care facilities.


Terry Blace is a media relations specialist, a former Sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police with 35 years experience, including 14 years in the Corporate Communications Bureau at OPP Headquarters in Orillia. Terry has dealt with both local and national media outlets, managing/handling crises communications for the OPP.

Terry will be speaking on crisis communications strategies.

Register today by sending an email to dculley@emergencymgt.com

G20 Survival Guide

An interesting article from the Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/825713--g20-survival-guide

One of their points - if you are headed down to see the action bring earplugs, gas mask and a camera...

Fences and the G20

Fences are used by security personnel for several reason, separate authorized persons from unauthorized persons, direct pedestrian traffic, create a psychological barrier as well as the physical barrier, stop or slow assaults on the area being protected, etc.

Fences and the extent of the fencing for the G8 and G20 have been the focus of many media stories. Here are a few of the links



http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/825908--fortress-toronto-secrets-of-the-fence?bn=1

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/news/huntsville-revelling-in-50-million-worth-of-g8-summit-largesse/article1595633/?service=mobile

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/video/g20-fence-going-up/article1595590/

Black Bloc gets media attention

In an earlier post on May 1 (see below) we identified some of the tactics of the Black Bloc and their potential threat to the G8/G20.

The CBC has now published a short story on the Black Bloc but for more details scan down to May 1 in this blog.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/06/14/black-bloc.html

Another story identifies some of the groups that will be protesting at the meetings:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/06/04/f-g8-g20-protesters.html

JTF2 Protecting G8 / G20 Leaders

One of the world's most respected anti-terrorist units, the Canadian Forces JTF2 will be involved in protecting the world's leaders attending the G8 and G20. In light of the potential threats to this type of event their deployment was to be expected, but the Toronto Star has an article about the unit's role.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/822674--commandos-prepare-for-summits-in-the-shadows?bn=1

Photo from Canadian Forces Combat Camera - special operations training exercise

Intershutz 2010 photos

Intershutz 2010

It is like a pilgrimage, travelling to Germany to the world's largest Fire, EMS and Emergency Management exhibition. Held once every 5 years, Intershutz creates an excitement amongst emergency responders from across the world. It was an event that we had to experience so three of the Emergency Management & Training team members made the trek and our expectations were met and exceeded.

Intershutz 2005 attracted more than 135,000 attendees and after attending this week it is easy to believe that 2010 will have just as many.

There was more than 145,000 sq. metres (1.5 Million sq. feet) of indoor show space (yes, Indoor) in 7 buildings and 70,000 sq. metres of outdoor show space with 1,200 different displays. Demonstrations and competitions were scheduled throughout the event.

Dozens of fire apparatus manufacturers from around the world displayed hundreds of trucks including; a 350 ft tall Bronto (world record holder), airport crash trucks, pumpers, rescues, aerials, robot vehicles, mobile command centres, quick response vehicles and much more. The latest innovations in all types of firefighting, hazmat, rescue, training, and other equipment was on display.

For EMS professionals there were dozens of ambulances, buses, response cars and support units on display with the latest in medical and response equipment. Even Demiers, a Canadian ambulance manufacturer had a booth in the Canadian pavilion.

Emergency management displays included everything from water treatment equipment to SAR dogs, mobile hospitals to CBRN detection equipment, and much more.

The most advanced dispatch, communications, resource tracking and GIS systems were on display. Industrial and building fire protection technologies addressed everything from residential housing to large oil refineries and even transportation systems for railways, ships, and aircraft.

We had the opportunity to meet other professionals from all across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Intershutz closes today after a week long run, but will return in 2015. Personally I'm marking my calendar.

With over 400 photos from Intershutz we will only post a few to get you thinking about attending in 2015.

Gulf Coast Disaster and Major Corporations

The continuing story of the BP oil rig disaster in the Gulf Coast is like a horror movie in slow motion. Workers killed and injured, clean up crew members becoming ill, environmental destruction of unimaginable proportions, and economic impacts that will be felt for years to come.

We rely on international companies to be good and ethical corporate citizens but their priorities are to maximize profits. Maximizing profits sometimes means taking risks, focusing on production over safety, and playing down the potential impacts of system failures.

When the Icelandic volcano erupted we included a link to a commentary about an airline flying directly into the closed airspace while petitioning governments to open the airports. The airports were opened while the fully loaded passenger jets were making approaches. Was this a calculated risk in minimize economic losses by the airline?

Automobile manufacturers have suppressed the reports of safety issues including accelerators sticking, fuel tanks subject to explosion, break system failures, etc.

Some coal mining companies have continued to operate with high levels of safety infractions.

Banks knowingly take bets against their own products and loan more funds than they have access to.

Food processing companies and recently a major pharmaceutical company have been in the media for poor quality assurance monitoring processes, poor housekeeping practices and producing products not fit for consumption.

And we could go on and on of major incidents that have occurred, most in North America, over the past couple of years.

A few years earlier, one of the most respected companies at the time, Enron, was creating massive power failures to create the appearance of electricity shortages in order to drive up the electricity rates for the power systems they controlled.

The lesson... just because there is a large, appearing successful corporation doesn't mean everything is above board - the resulting impact can be a Disaster.

For on-going updates on the gulf crisis check the Reuters media outlet:

http://www.reuters.com/subjects/gulf-oil-spill