ResilienceMore than 1,000 stakeholders join N.Y.-N.J. Metropolitan Resilience Network

Published 16 October 2018

An innovative program, the Metropolitan Resilience Network (MRN), now has over 1,000 credentialed stakeholders from hundreds of public and private organizations in the New York metro area. MRN members are connected and collaborating on shared threats to the region through a unique technology platform as well as a wider spectrum of activities.

A unique, innovative program, the Metropolitan Resilience Network (MRN), now has over 1,000 credentialed stakeholders from hundreds of public and private organizations in the New York metro area. MRN members are connected and collaborating on shared threats to the region through a unique technology platform as well as a wider spectrum of activities. 

MRN participants come from 325 companies in the private sector – ranging from finance, media, healthcare, communications, pharmaceutical, legal, critical infrastructure, insurance, real estate —and over 60 public sector organizations, including transportation, emergency management, public health, defense, and public safety. Through the MRN program, members are directly collaborating on preparedness, response and recovery activities in response to current and potential threats. 

Whether it is another Superstorm Sandy, terrorist attack, infectious disease outbreak or any one of the lesser emergencies that occur more regularly, the MRN is enabling companies, government agencies and NGOs to increase resilience and address these threats. 

The Metropolitan Resilience Network reflects an innovative government agency and university collaboration, embodying the next wave in public-private partnership that is proving to be a global prototype for cities worldwide.  

NYU says that the program is championed and funded by the Office of Emergency Management of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The Port Authority is responsible for some of our nation’s most critical and iconic infrastructure including the World Trade Center, all major metropolitan airports (JFK, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia), all bridges and tunnels connecting New York and New Jersey (including the George Washington Bridge, Holland & Lincoln Tunnels), the PATH subway system and the Ports of New York and New Jersey.

“The MRN is essential for its unique capacity for both 24/7 situational awareness and public-private collaboration,” explained Jerry McCarty, Director of Emergency Management for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. “As a core economic engine for the metropolitan region, the Port Authority understands that we are all interdependent - business, government and non-profits.  In this increasingly risk-prone and disruptive world, public-private collaboration on shared risks is a necessity for sustaining any organization through disruptions. The MRN is a vital part of our focus on advancing a world-class organization based on global best practices.”