The Megacommunity
A Group Discussion on Cross-sector Collaboration for Preparedness

Stephen J. Krill, Jr.
Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean VA

David Sulek
Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton, Herndon VA

February 27, 2008

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Contents:
Transcript (HTML)
Transcript (MS Word)
Discussion Questions
Ratings
Reviews
Rate this session and/or write a review

Related Websites:

"When There is No Cavalry"
"Convenors of Capability"
Megacommunities Web site

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RATINGS

13 Ratings Submitted: 13 attended
5 (38.5%) Academia 2 (15%)
5 (38.5%) Business 3 (23%)
3 (23%) Government 5 (39%)
0 (0%) Volunteers 1 (8%)
0 (0%) Other 2 (15%)
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REVIEWS

"Very useful information!"


"I thoroughly enjoyed today's forum. I think the use of the 10 pre-selected questions contributed to a well-organized flow of discussion."
Richard Hauschildt
DM Program


"I have a specific interest in the megacommunity concept because I direct a federally funded program at Michigan State University where we facilitate public/private partnerships for joint crisis management in cities, counties, and regions in the nation (http://www.cip.mus.edu). Therefore, I found today's session educational and in hearing what the BAH professionals and fellow participants shared, it reaffirmed my view of the strengths, challenges, and need for megacommunities."
Brit Weber
Michigan State University


"Thank you for your generosity in sharing your learning and research. It is extremely encouraging to see that our experience is shared by so many others who are now bringing organizational rigour to these important issues."


"In context with the discussion on frameworks and megacommunities, it would have been useful and germane to cite the recently issued NRF (as the mother of all frameworks) and the [DM Program's] DMIS, as they would support the notion of inter/intra megacommunity collaboration."
The Heartbeat Beacon
Simple Always Wins Concepts LLC


"Well-paced and organized presentation presenting and discussing the megacommunity concept".
Marilyn Wright



"Excellent presentation."

"Learned about several good 'case studies' or applications of the concept. Very valuable!"
Jane Kushma
JSU


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STEPHEN KRILL Jr.

Mr. Stephen J. Krill, Jr., has more than 18 years of professional experience, with a distinguished record in emergency management, physical and information security, and risk assessment. His experience includes employment in the Incident Response Branch at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Emergency Preparedness Section at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, as well as strategy and technology consulting to government, military, and commercial clients in the United States and abroad.

A Senior Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, he serves as a front-line manager for homeland security and emergency management, primarily for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Krill played lead operational roles at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He received the prestigious Secretary of Transportation's Team Award for Hurricane Katrina and Rita and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for evacuation planning for the 2007 hurricane season. Mr. Krill also responded to the 9/11 terrorist attack against the Pentagon and participated in more than 50 exercises, including serving as a lead planner and controller for "Top Officials" (TOPOFF) 3 and 4, PINNACLE 2005 and 2007, and Forward Challenge 06.

Mr. Krill was an adjunct instructor at Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety on transportation terrorism preparedness and lectured at the George Washington University's Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management on catastrophic risk management. As a panelist, he made presentations at major international conferences, including annual conferences for the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS), and the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

Mr. Krill authored more than 25 publications, including three Reports to Congress, a U.S. Government technical standard on risk-based decision making, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials "Guide to Highway Vulnerability Assessment for Critical Asset Identification and Protection," the McGraw-Hill textbook, "Wireless Security: Models, Threats, and Solutions," and several magazine and peer-reviewed articles. He also holds U.S. patents for advanced radioactive shielding materials and manufacturing processes.

Mr. Krill has a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Environmental Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. He is a Certified Project Manager and a Certified Business Continuity Professional. Mr. Krill serves as the co-chair of IAEM's Private-Public Partnership Committee and is a member of the American Society of Testing and Materials Emergency Operations Center Standards Development Committee. He also holds memberships with ASIS International, the Project Management Institute, the Disaster Recovery Institute International, TRB, and TIEMS.

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DAVID SULEK

Dave Sulek is a Principal with Booz Allen Hamilton's Global Security Team with 15 years of strategy, policy analysis and general management consulting experience. Dave leads a team of policy analysts focused on homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, information sharing, and public-private partnership issues. Current and previous clients include the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Preparedness and Policy Directorates, the Office of the Director for National Intelligence's (DNI) Program Manager for Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE), the National Communications System (NCS), and the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). Dave also participates in numerous internal projects to develop intellectual capital in the areas of information sharing and national preparedness issues.

Dave received a master's degree in National Security Studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Affairs at Georgetown University, a master's degree in International Affairs from Syracuse University, and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Syracuse University. Dave has published several professional articles, most recently one with several Booz Allen colleagues entitled, Building 'Next Generation' Highways: Understanding the Public and Private Sector Roles, which was presented at the Global Intelligent Transportation Systems conference in London.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. We have often heard that when it comes to planning, the principal benefit is the process. How does "megacommunity" collaboration enhance the process?

2. What are the obstacles to greater collaboration in emergency management?

3. What are the challenges to sustaining collaborative efforts?

4. What kinds of frameworks for collaboration are effective?

5. Where collaboration has occurred, has the support of elected officials been important?

6. What is the impact of separate funding streams (i.e. preparedness grants) on collaboration?

7. How can current technologies be used to support collaboration?

8. Are there opportunities for collaboration in the realm of citizen preparedness?

9. Are there opportunities for collaboration in the realm of "emergent" volunteers and donations?

10. Do we need to change perceptions about the "cavalry?" That is, should we be placing more emphasis on individual and local responsibility?

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