PWX @ Home Live Event
Spotlight On Emergency Management
PWX@Home works around your busy lifestyle. You can choose one afternoon per month to set aside and embrace an all-new virtual learning experience. The second Tuesday of each month from August through July, APWA will unveil education in 12 key public works focus areas. The series features sessions on relevant topics—most of which were selected for PWX 2020 in varying formats to maximize learning and engagement.
View all 2020-2021 Spotlight On... Series sessions >
June 8, 2021
1:00–4:30 p.m. CT
Attend three sessions related to Emergency Management for one low price! Registration is $50 for Members and $75 for Non-Members. Participants are eligible for up to 0.3 CEUs for this program.
The Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Assessment Process – Unifying Risk Assessment, Cyber Security, Employee Safety, and Continuity of Operations
Speaker: Robert Cole
The presentation details the experience of a large, full-service municipal public works department, the City of Olathe, Kansas, going through the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS CISA) Protective Services and Cybersecurity Assessment processes. It will feature a roundtable including both public works and emergency management professionals as well as members of DHS CISA Protective Services and Cybersecurity groups. The discussion will focus on two main areas. First, participants will discuss specific critical areas of risk assessment, cybersecurity, employee safety, and continuity of operations, paying specific attention to basic risk assessment principles, SCADA vulnerabilities, physical security and active shooter training, and second and third order threats to service delivery. Second, participants will engage in an open discussion on the DHS CISA assessment process as it pertains to the unique needs of public works, both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Finally, this presentation will provide attendees the opportunity to hear from all three stakeholder groups involved in this process and gain an awareness of how this free program may be of benefit to their agency.
Proficiency Level: Introductory
Learning Objectives:
1. Review their organization’s own risk assessment processes and procedures in order to inform potential changes moving forward.
2. Evaluate whether a DHS CISA assessment is suitable for their organization and how they can go about going through this free DHS program.
3. Recognize elements of risk assessment that are appropriate for inclusion in America’s Water Infrastructure Act Emergency Response Plan (AWIA ERP).
National Weather Service Support and Service During Heavy Rainfall Events
Speaker: Ben Schott
This session provides attendees with an inside look at the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast process and capabilities to help improve resilience and preparedness. Discussion will walk through a few local Gulf Coast examples of heavy rainfall events: Tropical storms in Houston and an August 2016 event in Baton Rouge area. The presentation will show what we can learn from them, and what the strengths and limitations are for the NWS forecasting such events.
Proficiency Level: Advanced
Learning Objectives:
1. Compare NWS products and services, including forecasts and warnings, information dissemination, and impact-based decision support services (IDSS) for heavy rainfall events.
2. Explain recent innovations within the NWS to enhance education and messaging of heavy rainfall and flooding hazards.
3. Describe what the science can, and cannot do for forecasting heavy rainfall.
Using Technology and Social Media During a Disaster – Getting the Word Out
Speakers: Loni Eazell, Philip Mann
Hurricane Irma: In 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall and moved up the middle of Florida directly impacting Gainesville. Staff will discuss how technology and social media were utilized to interact with their residents. This included the use of Facebook Live for telephone town hall meetings so residents could get live updates from the Mayor, City Manager, Utilities, Fire Chief, Police Chief and Public Works Director. Woolsey Fire: In 2018, in approximately 12 hours a wildfire burned nearly 97,000 acres in 2 Counties and 5 cities. It destroyed over 1,500 structures, killed 3 people, prompted the mass evacuation of over 250,000 people and destroyed essential infrastructure. L.A. County Public Works was activated for 14 days. Our GIS Team created an interactive map to capture damages. Staff created GIS tools to assist in the identification of damaged infrastructure. A website was created to provide information to constituents on the services available to those impacted.
Proficiency Level: Advanced
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the role of technology during a disaster.
2. Leverage the use of social media during a disaster.
3. Identify options to notify and educate constituents on recovery issues after a disaster.