2026 Strategic Planning for Public Safety Leaders

Register for the webinar using the form provided below.

Join us on January 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern for Mission Critical Partners’ next webinar roundtable discussion titled “2026 Strategic Planning for Public Safety Leaders.” This focused 60–90-minute session brings together an experienced panel of public safety leaders—including Sherri Griffith Powell, MCP’s 911 Services Manager; Renee Gordon, Director of the Alexandria Department of Emergency and Customer Communications; Andrew W. Knapp, Director of the Hamilton County Communications Center; and Helen Hill Yancey, Public Safety Manager for the Central Texas Emergency Communications District. Together, they will share practical insights into strategic planning approaches, emerging priorities for 2026, and lessons learned from past cycles.

Designed as a peer-to-peer conversation, the roundtable will explore how agencies are addressing shifting operational needs, leveraging data and technology to inform decisions, and aligning long-term goals with evolving community expectations. Attendees will gain real-world strategies they can immediately apply as they shape their 2026 plans.

Key takeaways include:

• Discover practical approaches agencies use for effective 2026 strategic planning.

• Identify top emerging priorities shaping public safety in 2026.

• Learn how leaders use data and technology to guide strategic decisions.

• Take away real-world lessons to strengthen your agency’s 2026 plan.

Don’t miss this important conversation—register for the webinar using the form provided below.

Speaker: Sherri Griffith Powell, ENP, Manager, 911 Services

Sherri is the manager of MCP’s 911 Services team. She has over two decades of experience as a public safety consultant, director, and manager in the public safety industry. Sherri assisted the State of Minnesota in the deployment of statewide text-to-911, initiating its full NG911 procurement and implementation. She also assisted the State of Maryland with its update of 911 legislation to fund NG911. Sherri has helped many agencies with strategic planning, including the State of Oklahoma, 911 Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (911 ACOG), the State of Ohio, the National 911 Program, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Capital Area Emergency Communications District, and the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications. In addition, she has experience with meeting facilitation, chairs the NENA NG9‑1‑1 Education & Training Working Group, and is a member of the NENA Women in 9-1-1 Alliance.

Guest Speaker: Renee Gordon, Alexandria Department of Emergency and Customer Communications Director 

Renee Gordon has served as Director of the Alexandria Department of Emergency and Customer Communications since 2015, where she has driven significant advancements in public safety communications. A respected national leader, she recently served as Vice Chair of the FirstNet Authority Board and is widely known as “Commissioner Gordon” for her influential role on the CALEA Board. Director Gordon began her public safety career with the Prince George’s County (MD) Police Department before transitioning to public safety communications in 2008. She holds an MBA from Trinity University and completed executive leadership programs at the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond. A SHRM-certified professional, she also holds numerous public safety communications credentials, including CPE, RPL, and ENP, reflecting her deep commitment to advancing the field.

Guest Speaker: Andrew W. Knapp, Director of the Hamilton County Communications Center

Andrew W. Knapp has been a public safety professional since 1985 and has served in management roles since 1994, bringing extensive experience as an EMT, firefighter, police officer, and public safety telecommunicator. A graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive Program, he currently serves as Director of the Hamilton County Communications Center in Ohio, overseeing 911 and emergency dispatch services for 48 municipalities. Under his leadership, the center processed more than 620,000 calls in 2024 and supports operations with a team of 60 telecommunicators, 10 supervisors, and 10 administrative personnel. Knapp’s decades of operational and leadership experience position him as a trusted voice in regional emergency communications.

Guest Speaker: Helen Hill Yancey, Public Safety Manager, CTECD

Helen Hill Yancey serves as Public Safety Manager for the Central Texas Emergency Communications District, where she plays a critical role in ensuring seamless operations across all 13 regional PSAPs. Over the past eight years, she has built a strategic planning framework that supports responsible 9-1-1 fund management and the region’s transition to NG911 call routing. Known for her quick thinking, precision, and resourcefulness, she coordinates closely with telecommunications partners, vendors, and state and regional stakeholders while managing budgets exceeding $7 million across multiple public safety and training programs. Helen’s leadership, expertise, and innovative approach make her an essential contributor to public safety across Central Texas.