The Klaxon is an organization that offers analysis, commentary, information and consulting for emergency personnel, disaster enthusiasts, news junkies and common readers. The Web site is updated daily, throughout the day. Since our launch Dec. 1, 2009, we strive to provide compelling stories that revolve around emergency management and the four phases of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
The Klaxon offers a unique perspective on emergencies and disasters that readers cannot get anywhere else. There’s no regurgitation, as stories are written by professionals in the field, as well as journalists who are educated in emergency management. Flashpoints are the commentary, while analysis is the more in-depth approach geared towards strategies and education.
After all, it’s in crisis that we reveal character.
For opportunities with The Klaxon, including correspondent, columnist, consultant and contributing jobs, advertising, and/or calendar events, e-mail inquiries@theklaxon.com.
Editorial
Chuck Frank, co-founder/publisher
Frank is a master at orchestrating successful projects of any magnitude as evidenced by the extent of his career as a performer/director, real estate developer, and high-profile corporate executive. Possessing more than 20 years of executive experience in media and real estate, Frank is moving into the field of emergency and disaster management by earning his master’s degree in Disaster and Emergency Management. He served as vice president of marketing and global events for a leading telecommunications consulting firm in Boston, and as chief executive officer of a technology publishing company that, according to The Wall Street Journal, “moved the market on a monthly basis.” Frank created technology conferences that brought together top authors, educators and business leaders from around the world to present cutting edge ideas to sold-out audiences. This ultimately led to a joint-venture with Forbes magazine.
Joshua Wilwohl, co-founder/editor-in-chief
Wilwohl is completing his MPA in emergency and disaster management in Manhattan. He also is an editor/writer at New Jersey Local News Service, part of The Star-Ledger’s Special Section division, and volunteers as iNET editor at the National Disaster Interfaiths Network. Wilwohl graduated with a BA in art history and journalism from Mercyhurst College in May 2008. After graduation, he worked as a copy editor at The New Jersey Herald. During undergrad, Wilwohl was editor-in-chief of The Merciad, the college’s newspaper, where he transformed the paper’s format and took a more investigative journalism approach to the news. The change led the newspaper to take the prize as one of the top 10, tabloid college newspapers in the country. During his time at Mercyhurst, Wilwohl also interned for The Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa., and The Citizen in Pittsburgh. He also lectures at Columbia University’s Scholastic Press Association on newspaper design, writing, handheld journalism and new media.
Mariah Pallansch, marketing director
Pallansch is a Seattle native who got her start in emergency management doing disaster services for the American Red Cross. Pallansch has extensive knowledge on nongovernmental organizations and responding with volunteer agencies in the midst of an emergency. In addition to earning her master’s degree in Public Administration, she is an intern at New York City’s Office of Emergency Management in Watch Command and External Affairs.
Allison Moore, columnist
Residing in Washington, D.C., Moore has been a staff member of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) since 2007. As program coordinator, Moore assists with the implementation of the Fire Corps program, which works to involve citizens in their local fire department and help communities implement safety measures and prepare for potential disasters. Moore also assists the government relations department in furthering the legislative goals of the NVFC. Moore received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Mercyhurst College and her master’s degree in Professional Studies in Political Management at the George Washington University.
Ahmed Mahmoud, columnist
ahmed@theklaxon.com
Mahmoud is an Egyptian-born law enforcement professional who currently is completing his master’s degree in Counterterrorism Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He has an extensive background in training law enforcement from various agencies in subjects that vary from counterterrorism history to investigations. He has an extensive security management background prior to becoming law enforcement. He brings his knowledge of the culture and religion, combined with his law enforcement experience.
Contributing
Allan Camacho
allan@theklaxon.com
Camacho has worked for more than 20 years in the corporate sector, including a diversified professional background in Law (including president of the Law Student Council in Perpetual Help College of Rizal, Manila, Philippines), Security and in Emergency Medical Service. He currently is a crew chief with Midwood Ambulance Services, a major ambulance company in New York City. He also is an active member of the New York City Police Department’s Auxiliary Police Program and Ridgewood Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He has a BA in Political Science, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines, and is a graduate student in the MPA Emergency and Disaster Management program at Metropolitan College of New York.
Boyd Dixon
boyd@theklaxon.com
Dixon currently is the clinic manager for Health & Hospital Corp., Bellevue Hospital, AIDS program. Prior to Bellevue Hospital, Dixon served as pathology manager for Beth Israel Hospital in New York City for 10 years. He has a BS from Mercy College, and MS in Health Care Administration from New School University, and is a graduate student in the MPA Emergency and Disaster Management program at Metropolitan College of New York.
Ralph Gonzalez
ralph@theklaxon.com
Gonzalez joined the New York City Police Department in 2001 and is assigned to the transit patrol bureau where his duties are mainly focused on securing of subway and rapid transit system. Gonzalez graduated from Binghamton University with a BS in History and Philosophy in 2000, and is a graduate student in the MPA Emergency and Disaster Management program at Metropolitan College of New York.
Tiffany Pickens
tiffany@theklaxon.com
Pickens is a native New Yorker who currently works as a human resources associate at Consolidated Edison. Pickens also is treasurer of the International Association of Emergency Managers, Metropolitan College Student Chapter. She graduated in August of 2008 with a Bachelor of Professional Studies from Metropolitan College of New York. Pickens now is focused on attaining her MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management. Her desire to join this field was fostered by the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina.
Diana Sapeg
diana@theklaxon.com
Sapeg has been a pre-school teacher for the Head Start Program since 1995. Sapeg also is second vice president of the International Association of Emergency Managers, Metropolitan College Student Chapter. Now, she volunteers for OEM as a Community Emergency Response Team member, Ready New York program and as an assistant for EMS classes. Prior to that, she was a first Responder for Orange County, in Orlando, Fla., and helped FEMA with Hurricane Andrew by providing Spanish translation for victims and temporary schools for children. She has a certificate in Data Entry and Accounting from Monroe College; a CDA in Early Childhood, AA and AS in Business Administration and Management from Valencia Community College, a BA in Liberal Arts from City College of New York and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician. She also is a graduate student in the MPA Emergency and Disaster Management program at Metropolitan College of New York.