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Videoconference teaches disaster preparedness
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FOR THE REVIEW
“Prepare for the unexpected.” “Be creative in your thinking.” “Explore all the angles and possibilities.”
These were the messages recently discussed when over 500 business and community leaders, government representatives and emergency response personnel from 16 markets in seven states – including business leaders and emergency personnel from Bradford County – connected during a videoconference with a panel of disaster preparedness experts.
The videoconference, hosted by Frontier Communications, challenged local leaders to “think globally and act locally” in continuing a local dialogue on the critical importance of disaster preparedness. The session encouraged local governments, public safety organizations and businesses to begin to plan for the unthinkable. Attendees included representatives from local, regional and state government, as well as from the fields of public safety, banking and finance, education, healthcare, food preparation, transportation, industry, charitable and relief organizations, national parks, religious organizations, and more.
Local attendees in Towanda, Pa. included Rob Repasky, Bradford County 911 director; Mansfield University Campus Safety Directors Bill Phillips and Jim Welsh; Deb Kithcart of the Wysox Chamber of Commerce; and George Raup and Pete Boergermann of Citizens and Northern Bank, among others.
The Towanda area participants joined over 500 other guests via a live videoconference featuring a panel of experts in Rosemount, Minn. The panel included Michael Hurley, senior counsel on the 9/11 Commission; H. Bryan Cunningham, a developer of the Homeland Security Act; Kent Therkelsen, executive director of the Dakota County (Minn.) Communication Center; and Lynne A. Monaco, Frontier Communications’ Corporate Director of Safety and Security.
Panelists emphasized not only the importance of disaster planning, but also stressed facilitating an on-going dialogue on a variety of man-made and natural disasters that could compromise operational continuity, – such as severe weather, cyber attacks, identity theft, pandemic, floods, fires and more. They addressed local concerns that included recent flooding and storm damage in the Midwest and Pennsylvania; regional disaster response to Hurricane Katrina; specific concerns related to near-by nuclear facilities, and issues related to infrastructure deterioration and collapse.
“I am proud that Frontier was able to host such a timely and informative seminar,” stated Robert Coleman, local manager of Frontier’s Towanda area. “This is a very sensitive topic but an important one. Because of the proactive approach we are taking together, we are not just waiting for something to happen. I believe the discussions that began today will continue to evolve as our businesses and communities become more prepared for the inevitable.”
At the top of the list of issues discussed by the panelists were terrorism threats and cyber attacks.
Panelists Hurley and Cunningham encouraged participants to think about their specific organizational needs, and they outlined steps to beginning an ongoing dialogue. They encouraged the attendees to plan a back-up for their internal and external communication systems, address their Internet security and create contingency plans that identify a clear chain-of-command.
Panelists also discussed the damage that can occur as a result of a security breach, including: fines and penalties, lawsuits, reduced shareholder value, negative publicity and the loss of customer trust.
“We facilitated today’s disaster planning discussion because the issue is of critical interest to every business person,” remarked Lynne Monaco, Frontier Communications corporate director of safety and security. “We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we do know that something significant may occur that will impact the operations of businesses and communities. And when it does happen, we want everyone to be as prepared as they can be.”
Monaco also outlined Frontier’s security strategy, which includes 24/7 security command and network operations centers, electronic card entry systems for critical company locations, key control systems, video surveillance, alarm systems, security guards, cyber security, an ID badge program, law enforcement contacts, and penetration testing.
Frontier gives its employees the tools to react so that they can continue to take care of customers. These tools include ongoing training, protective equipment, emergency communications and updates, 24/7 access to a safety professional, and guidelines on family preparedness planning.
Following the formal videoconference, local attendees had the opportunity for an open discussion at each conference location, where they discussed respective local issues and current disaster planning, their interaction to date with the Homeland Security Department, and priorities for an effective security plan in their neighborhoods or places of business.
“Today we were able to have an insightful discussion regarding some of the many ways the local business community can begin preparing for an emergency, natural disaster, or attack,” stated Coleman. “Frontier is dedicated to providing the best in telecommunications services to our customers, and today we were able to reinforce that commitment and enhance relationships with our business partners, who recognize that Frontier stands ready and willing to help in any emergency.”
Photo A: Robert Coleman, Local Manager of Frontier’s Towanda area; Deb Kithcart, Wysox Chamber of Commerce; and Kyle Lane, Technical Supervisor, Frontier.
Photo B: Robert Coleman, Local Manager of Frontier’s Towanda area; Rob Repasky, Bradford County 911 Director
Photo C: Charlie Miller, Local Manager of Frontier’s Wellsboro area; and Bill Phillips and Jim Welsh, Campus Safety Directors, Mansfield University
Photo D: Robert Coleman, Local Manager of Frontier’s Towanda area; George Raup and Pete Boergermann, Citizens and Northern Bank; and Cynthia Montigney, Account Executive, Frontier.
“Prepare for the unexpected.” “Be creative in your thinking.” “Explore all the angles and possibilities.”
These were the messages recently discussed when over 500 business and community leaders, government representatives and emergency response personnel from 16 markets in seven states – including business leaders and emergency personnel from Bradford County – connected during a videoconference with a panel of disaster preparedness experts.
The videoconference, hosted by Frontier Communications, challenged local leaders to “think globally and act locally” in continuing a local dialogue on the critical importance of disaster preparedness. The session encouraged local governments, public safety organizations and businesses to begin to plan for the unthinkable. Attendees included representatives from local, regional and state government, as well as from the fields of public safety, banking and finance, education, healthcare, food preparation, transportation, industry, charitable and relief organizations, national parks, religious organizations, and more.
Local attendees in Towanda, Pa. included Rob Repasky, Bradford County 911 director; Mansfield University Campus Safety Directors Bill Phillips and Jim Welsh; Deb Kithcart of the Wysox Chamber of Commerce; and George Raup and Pete Boergermann of Citizens and Northern Bank, among others.
The Towanda area participants joined over 500 other guests via a live videoconference featuring a panel of experts in Rosemount, Minn. The panel included Michael Hurley, senior counsel on the 9/11 Commission; H. Bryan Cunningham, a developer of the Homeland Security Act; Kent Therkelsen, executive director of the Dakota County (Minn.) Communication Center; and Lynne A. Monaco, Frontier Communications’ Corporate Director of Safety and Security.
Panelists emphasized not only the importance of disaster planning, but also stressed facilitating an on-going dialogue on a variety of man-made and natural disasters that could compromise operational continuity, – such as severe weather, cyber attacks, identity theft, pandemic, floods, fires and more. They addressed local concerns that included recent flooding and storm damage in the Midwest and Pennsylvania; regional disaster response to Hurricane Katrina; specific concerns related to near-by nuclear facilities, and issues related to infrastructure deterioration and collapse.
“I am proud that Frontier was able to host such a timely and informative seminar,” stated Robert Coleman, local manager of Frontier’s Towanda area. “This is a very sensitive topic but an important one. Because of the proactive approach we are taking together, we are not just waiting for something to happen. I believe the discussions that began today will continue to evolve as our businesses and communities become more prepared for the inevitable.”
At the top of the list of issues discussed by the panelists were terrorism threats and cyber attacks.
Panelists Hurley and Cunningham encouraged participants to think about their specific organizational needs, and they outlined steps to beginning an ongoing dialogue. They encouraged the attendees to plan a back-up for their internal and external communication systems, address their Internet security and create contingency plans that identify a clear chain-of-command.
Panelists also discussed the damage that can occur as a result of a security breach, including: fines and penalties, lawsuits, reduced shareholder value, negative publicity and the loss of customer trust.
“We facilitated today’s disaster planning discussion because the issue is of critical interest to every business person,” remarked Lynne Monaco, Frontier Communications corporate director of safety and security. “We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we do know that something significant may occur that will impact the operations of businesses and communities. And when it does happen, we want everyone to be as prepared as they can be.”
Monaco also outlined Frontier’s security strategy, which includes 24/7 security command and network operations centers, electronic card entry systems for critical company locations, key control systems, video surveillance, alarm systems, security guards, cyber security, an ID badge program, law enforcement contacts, and penetration testing.
Frontier gives its employees the tools to react so that they can continue to take care of customers. These tools include ongoing training, protective equipment, emergency communications and updates, 24/7 access to a safety professional, and guidelines on family preparedness planning.
Following the formal videoconference, local attendees had the opportunity for an open discussion at each conference location, where they discussed respective local issues and current disaster planning, their interaction to date with the Homeland Security Department, and priorities for an effective security plan in their neighborhoods or places of business.
“Today we were able to have an insightful discussion regarding some of the many ways the local business community can begin preparing for an emergency, natural disaster, or attack,” stated Coleman. “Frontier is dedicated to providing the best in telecommunications services to our customers, and today we were able to reinforce that commitment and enhance relationships with our business partners, who recognize that Frontier stands ready and willing to help in any emergency.”
Photo A: Robert Coleman, Local Manager of Frontier’s Towanda area; Deb Kithcart, Wysox Chamber of Commerce; and Kyle Lane, Technical Supervisor, Frontier.
Photo B: Robert Coleman, Local Manager of Frontier’s Towanda area; Rob Repasky, Bradford County 911 Director
Photo C: Charlie Miller, Local Manager of Frontier’s Wellsboro area; and Bill Phillips and Jim Welsh, Campus Safety Directors, Mansfield University
Photo D: Robert Coleman, Local Manager of Frontier’s Towanda area; George Raup and Pete Boergermann, Citizens and Northern Bank; and Cynthia Montigney, Account Executive, Frontier.
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