Mission Critical Partners Launches the MCP Podcast Network

New informational offering features the firm’s subject-matter experts and other industry leaders exploring a wide range of timely topics pertaining to mission-critical communications

State College, Pa., (April 23, 2020)—Mission Critical Partners (MCP), a leading public safety consulting and information technology (IT) support services firm, today announced the MCP Podcast Network, an informational series that will explore timely topics related to mission-critical communications. Each episode will feature one or more of MCP’s 145 subject-matter experts and/or industry leaders, and will be moderated by Glenn Bischoff, MCP content specialist and former editor of Urgent Communications and Fire Chief magazines.

“We take our thought-leadership role seriously, and the MCP Podcast Network is the latest evidence of that,” said Kevin Murray, MCP’s chairman and chief executive officer. “With this offering, we will provide cogent insights and analysis regarding important topics that will help our industry thrive, now and in the future.”

The MCP Podcast Network launches with a three-part series entitled, “How the 911 Community Can Thrive During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Panelists include Heather McGaffin, an MCP project manager, and Jim Marshall, cofounder and director of the 911 Training Institute. Prior to joining MCP, McGaffin was assistant chief of communications for Calvert County, Maryland, Department of Public Safety. Marshall is co-editor of The Resilient 9-1-1 Professional: A Comprehensive Guide to Surviving & Thriving Together in the 9-1-1 Center.

The three episodes are as follows:

• Coming to Grips with the Psychological Impacts—An examination of the pandemic-created stressors that emergency communications center (ECC) personnel are experiencing, and the strategies that can be leveraged to mitigate them.
• Rallying the Resilient 911 Mindset—An exploration of how an ECC leader’s mindset and skillset can make a difference in the wellbeing of center personnel.
• Protecting Future 911 Resilience—A look at the strategies that can enable ECC leaders to be proactive in the future, rather than reactive, regardless of the situation.

During the first episode, McGaffin observed that each of the nation’s 6,000-plus emergency communications centers is being impacted by the pandemic a little differently, because each is unique in terms of resources and the communities served.

“Some are having to deal with someone in their center who has tested positive, and they've had to evacuate their center,” she said. “Others are having to implement a reduction in workforce to comply with social-distancing rules.”

Marshall added that the “new normal” under which ECC personnel find themselves working is making it more difficult to cope with the additional stressors that the pandemic is adding to an already stressful job.

“People are not going to be able to rally the same psychological resources as if you're in a center where the morale is strong, [and] the leadership is connected and supportive,” he said.

The MCP Podcast Network is available on SoundCloud.

About Mission Critical Partners (MCP)

Mission Critical Partners (MCP) is an independent consulting and IT support services firm that helps clients enhance and evolve their public safety systems and operations through our extensive experience, knowledge and resources. By providing insight and support every step of the way, our clients are able to transform their mission critical operations, maximizing the value of their investments and ensuring optimal performance and success. Additional information and career opportunities are available at www.MissionCriticalPartners.com.

CONTACT:

Morgan Sava
Vice President, Director of Corporate Marketing
Mission Critical Partners
608-658-8858
MorganSava@MissionCriticalPartners.com