VEMS2025: E1 - When Worlds Collide: 9-1-1 and Emergency Management - Rich Troshak

While 9-1-1 centers usually operate independently from emergency management, during an emergency or disaster they work together to play an essential role to communities they serve. This presentation will explore the convergence of technology and operations between both disciplines, and the ways we utilize tools for situational awareness, interoperability, and public notifications. We will discuss cyber threats, artificial intelligence, and the importance of COOP planning related to 9-1-1 outages and other impacts to public safety critical infrastructure. Will share details of emergency communications impacts from Helene and actions taken in response. Working together, we can better prepare and respond to emergencies throughout Virginia.

Rich Troshak presently serves as the Director of 9-1-1 and Geospatial Services (NGS) Outreach Division for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). Previously he was the Operational Planning Branch Chief for VDEM, and Emergency Operations Specialist for the Virginia Office of EMS. During his 33-year career in public safety he was also a PSAP Director in Virginia, Michigan, Kansas City, and served as Project Manager for the Department of Homeland Security Philadelphia MegaCenter. Rich is a life member of the Virginia Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) where he served two terms as Chapter President.