As family circumstances make it more difficult to be away from home, our focus throughout the past year and in 2012 will be to work on line. Some may see this as a disadvantage but see it as an opportunity. This situation provides an opportunity for myself and an opportunity to help others.

I keep in contact with emergency management and business continuity professionals in the private and public sectors who are continually challenged to do more with fewer resources. As I recall from my career…

Here is our 2011 family photo and a picture of our home decorated for Christmas. I unfortunately missed getting a picture on the couple of days we had snow. We have been blessed with a loving and talented family and great friends for which we are very thankful. 

Greetings to those with whom we have worked in person and a special greeting to those who technology has enabled us to meet virtually through business and personal social and professional networks. 

I want to focus specifically on the following statement in the article below. "While in the age of social media, the most alarming stories take on a life of their own". I sense the industry frustration in dealing with social media and I know somewhat where they are coming from as I spent over 30 years working in the oil and chemical industry, much of it focusing on emergency management and crisis management. Those were the days before social media when the main media concerns focused on what…

But first let me answer the WHY question for those who will ask it. As an emergency management consultant who has spent considerible time focusing on emergency communication, I realize the imortance of social media and the need to incorporate it in the communication section of ones emergency management program. Communication among emergency management professionals is also imortant to help them learn from each other to more effectively perform their duties. XeeMe is a service which might…

Here are a couple of statements from Imperial Oil's commitment to Responsible Care. Click here to go directly to the information on their web site. 

"Imperial Oil is acutely aware that Canadians are more concerned than ever about the effects of chemicals on their health and the environment. Recognizing this, we have integrated Responsible Care® into the business practices of Imperial's Chemical division. This means we dedicate ourselves, our technology and our business practices to…

Here are a couple of excerpts from the article.

" What does it mean when the people you elected to represent you, turn off comments in social channels? Go away, shut up, just do as I say, don't ask, none of your business? But it is OUR business. If the person I am employing (through taxes) to do work for my community is on my communication channel, I expect to be able to speak to them. Not following me back on Twitter, turning off comments on YouTube, disabling discussion on Facebook is not…

In my last blog on about CAER groups social media and on line networking, I indicated I would write a follow up article with some suggestions for CAER groups to consider to help improve their effectiveness. As I worked on that article it quickly became apparent that there was just too much material for one article and one of the lessons we need to learn to communicate effectively on line is to keep ones communication short and simple. I have therefore changed my strategy and will issue several…

First, lest I forget it, is the link to the article in the Plane and Pilot magazine. Here also is a link to Craig's Clear Risk Twitter stream where you will find some excellent risk management tips. 

Now for my short story on risk management and pilots and one of the reasons we have aviation accidents.  I am a former pilot and at one time was responsible for aviation fuel sales in Southern Ontario for a major oil company.  While inspecting an airport fuel installation one day I observed…

First, thank you to the 330 + viewers who took time to read my original article. The fact that it was viewed over 330 times just confirms the power of social networking (Twitter, Linked In etc.) to raise awareness about an article so that those with an interest can read it. 

I thank Christal Ivanyshyn for her response to the article. Christel is a community emergency manager with a chemical industry background, but her response which indicated she is looking for similar information,…