Enhancing resiliency for elderly populations : Shelter-in-place planning and training at facilities serving elderly populations through the Rhode Island Senior Resiliency Project

Author's Biography

Richard Smith is a Senior Associate at the Yale New Haven Health System’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNHHS-CEPDR). In his role at YNHHS-CEPDR, Mr Smith has developed and implemented assessments, planning templates, and trainings for the Rhode Island Senior Resiliency Project. Mr Smith has served as the primary Subject Matter Expert for the project, especially in phases 1 and 2. Mr Smith has been involved in preparedness, response and recovery at YNHHS-CEPDR for over 8 years and prior to joining the organization Mr Smith was involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in southeast Louisiana for roughly 3 years.

Michael Mozzer is currently the Coordinator of the Project Management Office for the Yale New Haven Health System Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNHHS-CEPDR), where he has worked for nearly 11 years. Mike is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a FEMA-certified Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) with extensive experience developing and managing large-scale exercises and providing project management services to a diverse clientele.

Joseph Albanese received his PhD from McGill University, Department of Medicine, in 1998. Currently, Dr. Albanese serves as the Radiation Biodosimetrist for the Yale New Haven Health System Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNHHS-CEPDR) and the State of Connecticut. Joseph is an experienced research investigator who holds an appointment at Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Therapeutic Radiology.

James Paturas is the Deputy Director for the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He is also Associate Director for the International Collaborating Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response. As the Director of Ambulatory Development and Emergency Medical Services for Bridgeport Hospital for over 20 years, he served as the chairman of the hospital’s emergency management committee. He is the Past President of the American College of Contingency Planners and Past President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Mr Paturas currently serves on the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning and Inside Homeland Security. He is also a Certified Emergency Manager and Fellow of the American College of Contingency Planners.

Julia Gold is currently the Climate Change Program Manager at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Focused on climate change impacts through the lens of public health, she is committed to developing adaptation solutions that will help to strengthen our communities and create a more resilient Rhode Island. After receiving her BA from Brown University and her MA from Tufts University in Urban and Environmental Planning, Julia worked as a consultant for Tohn Environmental Strategies assisting clients with green building and energy efficiency strategies. Prior to starting the Climate Change Program at RIDOH, Julia was the Director of the Green Center at Bristol Community College, where she oversaw the college’s workforce development programs in renewable energy and sustainability. In addition to her work at the Rhode Island Department of Health, Julia is a technical advisor to the RI Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council’s Science and Technical Advisory Board. She also serves on the board of ONE Neighborhood Builders and is a member of the Providence Environmental Sustainability Task Force. She is the co-author of Principles of Brownfield Regeneration: Clean-up, design, and re-use of derelict land.