Events

Featured Speaker: 

Caitlin Justesen, Executive Communications Advisor, Federal Emergency Management Agency 

Description:
In times of crisis, communities rely on leaders to effectively communicate before, during, and after a crisis or disaster, often managing 24-hour news cycles on the ground with little reprieve when communities are devastated by destruction and loss of life.  But what is often not considered is how communications professionals control their emotional response when seeing this devastation firsthand, all while being the face of a 24-7 news cycle.  

Caitlin Justesen, External Communications Advisor to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, will share her experiences leading federal communication operations during high-profile disasters and crises like Hurricane Ida, COVID-19 vaccinations for frontline federal personnel, and the arrival of thousands of unaccompanied children at the US-Mexico border. Caitlin will also share how crisis communicators can manage personal emotions in times of disaster.   

Please note we can accept 50 attendees maximum for this event, so register today!

When: Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, 5:30 – 8 p.m. 

5:30 to 6 p.m. – Networking 

6 to 6:30 p.m. – Tour of the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center  

6:30 to 8 p.m. – Dinner/Program 

Registration is now closed.

Where: Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, 1310 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. 

Cost: Member: $40; Future Member/Guest: $50 ; Student: $25

Menu:
Bruschetta Topped Chicken (Gluten Free)
Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Dessert
Assorted sodas and water

(Please note that the increasing costs of food and service have resulted in an increase in costs, even with PPRS covering a portion of the event.)

Caitlin’s Biography 

Caitlin has supported executive leaders at the local, state, and federal levels throughout her career in communications. She has led large teams during disaster response and recovery operations for both Stafford Act and PPD-44 events.  She has extensive experience drafting agency messaging on behalf of principals, including Cabinet-level officials. Caitlin has served as a spokesperson for various public and private sector organizations throughout her career, including the largest police union in Texas.  

Caitlin has been recognized by Secretary Mayorkas of the United States Department of Homeland Security, and by Texas Governor Greg Abbott for her leadership during various high-profile disasters including the following. 

• ️FEMA Acting Press Secretary, Marshall Fire (2022)
• ️FEMA Acting Press Secretary, Kentucky Tornadoes (2021)
• ️FEMA Acting Press Secretary, Hurricane Ida (2021)
• ️FEMA Deputy External Affairs Officer, Operation Apollo/Artemis, Southwest Border, Unaccompanied Children Mission (2021)
• ️FEMA/DHS Lead, Interagency Communications Group, Operation Vaccinate Our Workforce (2021)
• ️FEMA External Affairs Officer, COVID-19 response (2020-2021)
• ️FEMA External Affairs Officer, Hurricane Zeta (2020)
• ️FEMA External Affairs Officer, Hurricane Delta (2020)
• FEMA External Affairs Officer, Hurricane Laura (2020)
• ️Spokesperson, Hurricane Hanna- State of Texas (2020)
• ️Spokesperson, COVID-19 response, State of Texas (2020)
• Spokesperson, Dallas tornado, State of Texas (2019)
• Spokesperson, Tropical Storm Imelda, State of Texas (2019)
• ️FEMA Writer, Hurricane Harvey (2017) 

Directions to PEMA

FROM I-81:

Exit 67A (US-22/Harrisburg/Cameron Street). At the first light (Farm Show Complex on far right corner; Commonwealth Charter Academy on near right corner), there are two left-turn lanes. Use the one on the right to turn left onto Elmerton Avenue and follow roughly 0.6 miles to the light at Bamberger Road (Farm Show Complex overflow parking is on your right at this intersection). Make a left onto Bamberger road and take the first right into the PEMA facility. Follow the road 200 feet and bear right and continue about 500 feet to the visitor parking lots on the left.

FROM DOWNTOWN HARRISBURG:

Head north on Cameron Street (toward I-81) to Elmerton Avenue and turn right onto Elmerton. Continue on Elmerton for roughly 0.6 miles to the light at Bamberger Road (Farm Show Complex overflow parking is on your right at this intersection). Make a left onto Bamberger road and take the first right into the PEMA facility. Follow the road 200 feet and bear right and continue about 500 feet to the visitor parking lots on the left.

Instructions for access to the building:

• Visitors should be aware that parking lots, hallways and common areas at PEMA are monitored by closed-circuit cameras
• Access may only be given to those registered for the event
• Visitors must wear a visitor badge, and it must be visible, at all times
• Access is limited to areas of the building that are necessary for this event
• Visitors must be escorted at all times, other than access to the restrooms across the hall from the meeting room
• Taking photos/videos inside the PEMA building is strictly forbidden
• Currently, masks are recommended but not required inside the PEMA building. Attendees will be advised in advance if that changes.