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Lasky Appointed Vice Chair of Community Emergency Response Network

CONTACT: Rich Krieg, 410-715-0311

The Horizon Foundation today announced the appointment of Mary Lasky as Vice Chair of the Howard County Community Emergency Response Network (CERN), a 60-person group that does community-wide disaster planning.

CERN Chair Richard Krieg said, “Mary was selected by a CERN committee that included Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon, Fire and Rescue Chief Joe Herr, Health Officer Peter Beilenson and Department of Citizens Services Director Susan Rosenbaum.  We are thrilled to have her serve in this important emergency response role.”  He added that Lasky had done on outstanding job as Co-Chair of CERN’s Continuity of Community Operations Committee (COOP).

“Mary Lasky is the perfect choice for this new leadership role with CERN,” said  Department of Citizen Services Director Susan Rosenbaum. “Her work with emergency management at APL, as well as her expertise with COOP, makes her an ideal Vice Chair.  I look forward to working with her in this new role,”  Rosenbaum added.

Lasky currently is Program Manager for Business Continuity Planning for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). She leads APL business continuity planning including their pandemic influenza response effort.  She also coordinates the APL Incident Management Team, which is responsible for managing any disaster that disrupts normal operations for more than 48 hours.

CERN’s mission is to spearhead the development of a community-wide disaster response plan to ensure maximum preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack or major natural emergency.  The unique community readiness program was initiated after the events of 9/11 as a partnership between the Horizon Foundation, Howard County government, and key community agencies in Howard County. The effort supports government disaster planning through coordination of the emergency plans and resources of participating members.

CERN functions include planning, a high level of inter-agency coordination, the development of tabletop exercises, disaster plan review, shelter planning and communications enhancement.

In addition to her APL roles, Lasky is the chair of the Pandemic Influenza Education and Communication Group for the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), which is responsible for pandemic planning for all Hopkins Institutions.  She is also on the adjunct faculty of the Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, teaching in the Technical Management graduate degree program.

For more information on the initiative, visit www.bepreparedbeready.org.