On April 8, 2013, MSA Security President Michael O’Neil spoke at the Metropolitan Healthcare Safety & Security Directors bi-monthly meeting at Mount Sinai Hospital, a regional gathering of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (), on topics related to security and the healthcare industry.
The IAHSS is the only organization dedicated exclusively to professionals involved in managing and directing security and safety programs in healthcare institutions. At the event, Mr. O'Neil addressed a crowd of security directors from hospitals throughout NYC about how to effectively liason and communicate with the New York Police Department (NYPD) during a critical event. An expert on security matters, Mr. O'Neil is a 22 year veteran of the NYPD and retired after serving as the first Commanding Officer of the NYPD Counterterrorism Division.
Topics covered by Mr. O'Neil included security measures and communication techniques required during active shooter and counter terrorism threats, with an emphasis on the use of a high explosive as a radiological dispersal device. In addition, Mr. O'Neil delivered information pertaining to crime analysis and its impact on security operations; high-explosive threats such as suicide bombers; and natural disaster preparedness and business continuity.
The healthcare industry is vulnerable to several high-level security threats, and because institutions such as hospitals are critical in times of emergency, Mr. O'Neil underscored the need for healthcare facilities to have effective liasons with the NYPD during a crisis, and as a measure of preparedness, conduct comprehensive risk assessments and hazard vulnerability analysis for known and emerging threats.
MSA Security's highly-trained team of security experts and intelligence analysts have the capacity to deliver critical information and support to healthcare facilities during emergencies that range from natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy to mass shootings such as the recent active shooter event in Newtown, Connecticut.
For information on receiving a security assessment or consultation for your hospital or healthcare facility, contact MSA Security at 212-509-1336.
To request an interview with Mr. O'Neil or book him as a speaker for an event, please e-mail Jessica Hagstrom.