More than 3.5 million spectators are expected to attend the 93rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 28, stretching 2.5 miles through the city streets of New York City.
Officials from NYC Emergency Management and Macy’s provide exclusive, behind-the-scenes insight into the organization of this special event on the latest episode of “Prep Talk.”
Tune in to SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spreaker to hear the episode jam-packed with exciting updates and information on new floats, the best spots to view the parade, and the big performers headlineing this year’s event.
(The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began as a Christmas celebration in 1924. The 2.5-mile route features thousands of performers, including musicians, Broadway actors, and the Rockettes. Estimates say the parade costs about $11 million to $13 million to stage. Courtesy of Business Insider and YouTube. Posted on Nov 25, 2019.)
Special guests Frank McCarton, deputy commissioner at NYC Emergency Management, and Christopher Bannon, senior director of event operations for Macy’s Branded Entertainment, discuss why comprehensive planning and coordination, including robust security measures, are paramount to a successful parade.
“Security and safety are always a top priority for us at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” explained Bannon.
“The plans are constantly monitored, tweaked, redefined, leading up to and even during game day.”
“It’s something that we are in lockstep with all City agencies on, and it’s something that we take very seriously.”
“There is that communication [and] coordination, leading across all bounds.”
“We are monitoring everything that goes on that day on the parade route, working with Macy’s, our partners and also the NYPD,” said McCarton.
NYC Emergency Management is also making it easier for New Yorkers and visitors alike to “get & stay notified” about the 2019 Macy’ Thanksgiving Day Parade and Balloon Inflation event.
‘Notify NYC’, the City’s official emergency communications program, has launched an opt-in short message service (SMS) for those attending all Thanksgiving Day festivities in New York City.
(New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple love to be “the first to know.” That’s why the City of New York has Notify NYC, so you can be the first to the know when an emergency happens. If there’s a fire in your neighborhood, or the weather takes a turn for the worse, stay informed with Notify NYC. Get the free app today for your Apple or Android device. Because a notified New Yorker is a prepared New Yorker. Courts of Notif NYC and YouTube.)
Just text the keyword THANKSGIVING to 692692 (NYCNYC) to receive alerts and updates on weather, road closures, traffic delays and more. (Message and data rates may apply.)
Frank McCarton is NYC Emergency Management’s deputy commissioner of operations, and is responsible for overseeing the agency’s field responders and Watch Command, the 24/7 operations center that monitors incidents across the city.
McCarton has coordinated the agency’s field response to numerous major incidents including building explosions, aviation accidents, and Hurricane Sandy.
(Flashback to the security posture of the 2018 Thanksgiving Day Parade: Security will be tight for the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Balloon Inflation. Courtesy of Eyewitness News ABC7NY and YouTube. Posted on Nov 21, 2018.)
Among the first responders 9/11, McCarton organized the City’s Crisis Communications program and served as the City’s primary spokesperson.
Deputy Commissioner McCarton brings close to three decades of achievement in the fields of operations, emergency management and crisis communications to NYC Emergency Management.
He is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Program.
(NYC Emergency Management is staffed by more than 200 dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. Courtesy of NYC Emergency Management and YouTube. Posted on Sep 21, 2018.)
Christopher Bannon, in this role as senior director of event operations for Macy’s Branded Entertainment, Chris oversees the team responsible for the planning, training, logistics, event operations and local and federal government collaborations for Macy’s including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and holiday events across the nation.
