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Annual Symposium
NYC Emergency Management Community Preparedness outreach initiatives are designed to support NYC organizations and target the needs of people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
2023 Symposium
The 11th Annual Community Preparedness Symposium, “A New Standard: Communities Ahead of Emergencies” was held on March 7th. Sessions focused on how communities can navigate inclusive and collaborative operations when preparing and responding to community emergencies. The diversity of speakers ranged from New York City non-profit leaders, City executives to active community organizers.
- Watch the whole symposium here.
- Opening remarks from NYC Emergency Management
- Keynote speaker Yesenia Mata, Executive Director of La Colmena
- Best practices to include people with disabilities in planning for emergencies, with Commissioner Christina Curry, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
- Understanding the impact of disasters on food insecurity with Racine Lee Droz, City Harvest
- Building centers for community preparedness and response, with Jessica Clemente, CEO of Nos Quedamos
- Panel discussion: Sharing best practices for CBOs serving NYC asylum seekers
2022 Symposium
The 10th annual Community Preparedness Symposium was held in March 2022. Sessions focused on how community organizers, leaders, youth, advocates and/or government can better prepare, respond, and recover from emergencies.
2021 Symposium
The 2021 Symposium: The Rise of Community During Emergencies is a free virtual event that discussed best practices for communities preparing, responding, and recovering during COVID-19 and other emergencies. During 2020, communities everywhere in New York City banded together to help their neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn.
This ninth annual symposium provided insight from community leaders, researchers and emergency managers for strengthening every New York City community's emergency response.
Watch the 2021 Symposium Event Sessions
- Opening Plenary
- A Disaster DIET: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Before, During and After Emergencies with Dr. Atiya Martin
- Neighbors in Action: Community Preparedness
- Environmental Health & Preparedness
- Combatting Social Isolation for Older New Yorkers
- Overcoming the Accessibility Barriers During COVID-19
- Closing Plenary – Volunteerism During 2020-2021
On-Demand Sessions