Cities Under Siege

On our latest episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter invite onto the show Tom Henkey, who served for six years as Chicago's Senior Emergency Management Coordinator. Henkey is currently the Director of Emergency Management for Titan Security Group, and adjunct faculty at DePaul University.

In the wake of weather-related emergencies all across the countries, not the least of which being the horrific fires that have devastated L.A., Henkey is a timely and knowledgeable guest for this moment. 

Emergencies like these, Reed said, show why being a mayor is one of the three toughest jobs in government. “During every mayoralty, there is something unforeseen that happens.”

“Yes,” Henkey said, “and two former mayors of Chicago were voted out of office because they botched … or were perceived to have botched a major response to a weather event.” 

“We thank our first responders for their service,” our hosts noted, “but most people aren’t aware of the service of city emergency managers. So, thank you.” 

And in our first-ever policy segment from our partners at Accelerator for America, we hear about the National Housing Crisis Task Force, which is currently tackling one of the thorniest issues of our time.

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As cities go, so goes the nation!