Editor’s Note: Giving Thanks for the Planners

In the United States, the fourth Thursday of November is a time for families and friends to get together for their annual Thanksgiving Day celebrations. Some celebrate in small groups, while others gather en masse for parades, football, and other events. While most people enjoy a day or more off work, these events require dedicated professionals and volunteers to ensure the safety of the participants before, during, and after the festivities.

The Macy’s Day parade in New York is one iconic celebration that requires extensive planning and security as it attracted over 3 million attendees in 2023. Preparedness professionals know that, when events like this go as planned, a lot of work went into the planning.

In this November edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal, get a glimpse into securing New York City’s largest events. In addition, this month’s authors clarify the misconceptions and realities of human trafficking, explain why messaging matters, share about self-care during deployments, and warn of threats that communities across the country may encounter.

This Thanksgiving, whether you are one of the millions of people who will be attending an event or one of the 30+ million who will be watching the parades and football at home, remember to give thanks for all those who are working behind the scenes to make these events safe and enjoyable. If you are one of the people who will be postponing your turkey dinner to keep others safe, your efforts are greatly appreciated!