Disaster Preparedness

Friday, November 17, 2017

Where and When

Time: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: The Gallagher Room, Newtown Campus

Event Information

FREE Event

Please join the Center for Workforce Development at Bucks County Community College as we focus on preparing your business in the event of an Active Shooter or Natural Disaster. This Program is designed to give businesses’ real-life training and useful protocols in the event of an Active Shooter or Natural Disaster. We will spend the morning learning the necessary preparatory measures required to defend against such crises from two subject matter experts. Ultimately, participants will leave with a better understanding of how to handle an active shooter or hostage situation while maximizing their employee’s safety. Additionally, they will also take away a better understanding of how to continue business as usual after an unexpected natural disaster.

Agenda

7:30am Registration and Breakfast

8:00am Opening Remarks

8:15am to 9:30am - Active Intruder Training with Officer Thomas A. Johnson, Jr.

This program is designed to educate employers and individuals about the warning signs that may lead up to an Active Intruder Event. It is intended to create an awareness level within organizations, concerning the risk of staff members being held hostage and the target of an active shooter. The facilitator will help program participants understand the dynamics of Event Stages, as an incident unfolds and evolves. Included within the program are tips concerning the challenges confronting the Law Enforcement Response, and recommended behaviors by employees during violent emergency situations. The program concludes with takeaways on Event Resolution and personal steps to Post-Incident Recovery.

Thomas A. Johnson, Jr. joined the Upper Darby Police Department as a Patrol Officer in May of 1996. He advanced to Criminal Investigator, then Sergeant in the Detective Division, then Lieutenant and eventually Captain and assignment to the Administration Division in 2012. Captain Johnson is a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator during critical incidents and spends much of his time working on special projects and programs. He has handled many high profile police matters in his career including one homicide investigation that was featured on an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

Captain Johnson is cross-trained as a Firefighter and Paramedic. He is a 33-year volunteer with the East Lansdowne Fire Department where he has been the Board Chairman, Deputy Chief and two separate tenures as Fire Chief. Over the course of his career, Captain Johnson has received more than 25 department commendations. He is a two-time recipient of the Mayor’s Service Award and was recognized by the Upper Darby Marine Corps League as their 2001 Officer of the Year. He serves on the Township Comprehensive Plan Committee and on the advisory board of Delaware County Community College paramedic program.

Captain Johnson has an Associate’s degree in Emergency Management and Planning from Delaware County Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University and is completing a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership through the University of San Diego. He is a graduate of Penn State University’s Police Executive Development program, the FBI Inter-County Detective School, and the National Fire Academy Fire & Arson program.

9:45am – 12pm – Business Recovery with Edward J. Wurster, MS, CBCP, CEM, MEP, MBCI

This workshop is concerned with building business resilience through effective Planning, Response, and Recovery Programs. Topics will include Training and Exercise Programs to Enhance Resiliency, Emergency/Crisis Communications and the development of an Emergency Response Action Plan. Participants will receive awareness training designed by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) / Incident Command System (ICS). These Homeland Security/FEMA protocols are the preferred guidelines currently being used by local municipalities and federal agencies in their response to widespread disaster and incidents. Participants will take away materials to assist them in creating an Emergency Response Action Plan or enhance an already existing plan.

Edward J. Wurster will be leading this session and is the Director of Protective Services for PPL Corporation. Since joining PPL in 2012, Wurster has been instrumental in developing the corporate emergency management and business continuity strategies and an enhanced physical security program.

Wurster has made significant contributions to the field of public safety throughout his 30-year career. He has served as director of curriculum and certification for the Bucks County Public Safety Training Center and Bucks County Community College as well as training and exercise section chief for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force.

Wurster holds a master’s degree in public safety management from Saint Joseph’s University. He is recognized by the International Association of Emergency Managers as a Certified Emergency Manager

and is Certified Business Continuity Professional. Wurster is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Joseph’s University, Bucks County Community College, and the Pennsylvania State University. He also serves as a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Local Level suppression instructor.

Please send all RSVPs to Holly.Beck@bucks.edu or 215-504-8533, no later than November 15, 2017.