This is an article by Greg Hoffnung, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, January 8, 2025.
Despite their critical role in disaster response, public works agencies are not always included in the emergency planning process. Key steps can help ensure that these and other agencies can more effectively respond to the next disaster.
To bridge planning gaps, learn how to better integrate public works into emergency response efforts.
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Greg Hoffnung
Greg Hoffnung is an experienced emergency management and safety professional with over 30 years of experience working as an incident command specialist (safety officer, liaison officer, planning section chief, operations section chief, logistics section chief), safety professional, college professor, hazardous materials emergency responder and investigator-auditor, and aviation captain with over 13,000 safe flying hours around the globe. With a master’s degree in program and project management and a bachelor’s degree in contract management and law, he is a Federal Emergency Management Agency National Emergency Management Advanced Academy graduate (NEMAA), a Certified Environmental Health and Safety Professional (NASP) and a Certificated Professional Continuity Practitioner (FEMA). As an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and recognized as an operational auxiliarist (highest level of achievement), he is qualified in incident management and helicopter long-line operations and as a Coast Guard risk management instructor, coxswain, and vessel examiner. During Hurricane Harvey, he established and supervised a ten-person phone bank receiving incoming calls from the public (60,000 per day) and triaging them for response. Previous experience includes instruction in hazardous materials and dangerous goods handling, shipping, and spill response, with qualifications as a hazmat first responder and law enforcement.
