CSU program director to speak at terrorism summit

CSU’s criminal justice program director Joe Saitta, Ph.D, will make a presentation at the annual 6th Annual Homeland Defense and Security Education Summit on Sept. 26, 2013 in Burlington, Mass.

Saitta’s presentation, “The Forgotten Partners,” will address the relationship of numerous agencies and organizations with first-responders as it relates to terrorism preparedness in the U.S.

According to Saitta, “while great strides have been made with law enforcement, fire, EMS and emergency management working more closely together in terrorism preparedness and response, a host of other agencies and organizations have slowly drifted away from contact, particularly as it relates to preparedness. As the homeland security discipline continues to mature, we must become more inclusive and multi-disciplinary.”

He added, “Although first-responders’ individual list of groups that have ‘gone walkabout’ may differ, an inclusive inventory would disclose a variety of non-governmental organizations (American Red Cross, VOAD, Medical Reserve Corps, CERT, etc.) and governmental agencies (such as public health, 911 centers, and public works) that are no longer on our emergency ‘speed dial.’ ”

The interactive presentation will address what specific actions can be taken to re-energize the working relationships with the various agencies. Saitta is a retired bioterrorism coordinator for Virginia and has served as a federal agent and a deputy in the past. Saitta has been an instructor for numerous law enforcement agencies. He served in Vietnam as a rifleman and later, a reserve commission officer. He holds a doctorate in education with a cognate in management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

This year’s theme at the three-day summit is “Developing an Adaptive Homeland Security Environment.” The event is sponsored by the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security in partnership with Northeastern University, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard Homeland Security Institute.

To learn more about the summit, please visit https://www.chds.us/?shortcourses or contact Steve Recca (sprecca@nps.edu, 719-640-4346) or Stan Supinski (sbsupins@nps.edu, 719-482-6816) at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.