Celebrating women in public safety and at CRCOG + more news

March 23, 2022 | Issue 6

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The CRCOG Connection

Hello readers. This newsletter is 1388 words, approximately a 7-minute read.

In this issue, we highlight:

Women leaders in public safety
A staff appointment announcement
More Women's History Month quotes
DEI+B training
And more

Thank you for reading.

ICYMI

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus spending bill that included Congressionally Directed Spending items. CRCOG received $189,000 to address the Capitol Region’s Natural Hazard Mitigations plan update.
Connecticut's trash future unclear after closure of processing plant
Hartford Public Library's Marie Jarry wins national award

Celebrating women in Public Safety

Women’s History Month offers us an opportunity to reflect on the contributions women make in our society. In this newsletter, we’re excited to celebrate and share the profiles of women in our region who serve in public safety.

Together they bring more than 119 years of public service to our communities. Thank you for your service!

Betty Morris serves as the North Central Connecticut EMS Council executive director. She oversees the coordination of Medical Emergency Direction (CMED) and Regional Communications for EMS Hospitals in the greater Hartford area.

What's special about your job?

I’m responsible for the emergency services communications system that covers several communities and allows EMTs and paramedics to direct contact with eight emergency departments.

Since 2003, Katherine McCormack has been part of the Capitol Region Medical Reserve Corps (CR-MRC). She applied to start an MRC when she was the City of Hartford’s health director and asked her CRCOG/CREPC partners to take on this project as a regional asset. She has been the director for more than 15 years.

What’s special about your job?

I am passionate about volunteers and passionate about this. I have met extraordinary people who have given me extraordinary opportunities.

Deputy Chief of Police Magdalena Silver works with UCONN’s University Safety. She has been actively engaged in the criminal justice field for 28 years, with 26 years in law enforcement. She loves engaging and connecting with the communities she serves.

What’s special about your job?

Being a role model for women of Latino ethnicity, especially those from impoverished backgrounds, is something that I take great pride in. I was a single teenage mother who was once homeless, and that experience helped make me who I am today. I am a better leader and role model because of the challenges I faced, and grateful to be in a position where I can have a positive impact on others.

Deputy Chief Sonia Watson works for the city of Hartford. She brings her refreshing, authentic British approach to her role as the first female appointed in 2018 to the rank of Deputy Chief. She began her career in 2003; she also is the Chief of Patrol Operations and the Community Service Bureau, including the Patrol Officer Field Training Program, the Emergency Response Team, Marine and Dive Team, Honor Guard, Hostage Negotiation Team, Bomb Squad and Special Teams.

What’s special about your job?

Who knew I would love my job so much! Especially my current role as Deputy Chief of Patrol Operations and the Community Service Bureau. I delight in being an approach beacon and having the ability to influence, encourage and support positive outcomes while sharing what is important in our punctuated life’s journey.

Congrats to Maureen Goulet

Congratulations to Maureen on her appointment to the state’s Plan of Conversation and Development (POCD) working group. This working group falls under Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management. Last year, the State Commission on Connecticut’s Development solicited applications to serve on working groups and make policy recommendations related to land use, conservation, housing affordability, and infrastructure.

Section 8-23 of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS), as amended by Public Act 15-95, sets forth required procedures by which each municipality must prepare or amend and adopt a plan of conservation and development (POCD).

Effective July 1, 2016, any municipality that does not adopt a POCD at least once every ten years shall be ineligible for discretionary state funding unless such prohibition is expressly waived by the OPM Secretary. The 10-year clock for discretionary state funding eligibility re-sets whenever the municipal POCD is prepared or amended and adopted in accordance with CGS Section 8-23.

Words to inspire: More favorite quotes from the women at CRCOG and our public safety officials

We’re thrilled to be back with more favorite quotes from women at CRCOG staff and public safety officials working in our region. You can also find them on our social media, and we encourage you to share them with your family and friends.

Betty Morris - “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou
Kim Bona - "You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." ~ Glinda the Good Witch, Wizard of Oz
Katherine McCormack - “It is imperative that we – the leaders, members, and supporters of the MRC – not only educate our community members on preparedness, but also serve by example.” ~ Captain Tossato, Director of the Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps
Laura Quintiliani - "I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be." ~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Cara Radzins’ mom often said, “Do what is right, not what is easy.” (The original quote is attributed to Roy T. Bennet.)
Magdalena Silver - "It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Pauline Yoder - “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.” ~ Marie Curie

DEI+B training makes a difference, and we’re bringing it to our members

Through a competitive RFP process, CRCOG recently contracted with Daniel Penn Associates, LLC to provide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI + B) training and services to our member municipalities.

What is DEI+B?

DEI+B refers to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Organizations that embrace diversity and have an equitable and inclusive culture outperform environments that are not diverse, equitable, or inclusive. The highest performing organizations, including municipal organizations, strive to include people of diverse ethnicities, abilities, backgrounds, and cultures. They embed true collaboration into their values, work practices, and behaviors. They ensure accountability for diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and belonging.

Why is it important to your town or organization?

When DEI+B becomes a priority, EVERY aspect of your organization benefits, diversity, equity, and inclusion creates a culture of belonging by investing in people and their core values, increasing cultural competencies, and creating sustainable change.

Under the Master Contract, basic DEI+B training and services will include:

Training for municipal staff, senior leaders, and elected officials which addresses:

Systemic Racism – what is it and how to recognize it
Implicit/Unconscious Bias – how it shows up and how to recognize it
How to Start to Undo Bias
Micro-aggressions – how to recognize and how to respond when encountering
Cultural Awareness & Inclusion
Create a training toolkit and train staff on how to facilitate DEI+B dialogue
Create an evaluation plan for individual towns to measure the efficacy of training and progress of the inclusiveness initiative
Conduct community workshops focused on DEI+B open to the public