— About Us
Bringing Clarity, Confidence, and Capability to Emergency Planning
National Recognized Experience. Local Focus.
Paul D. Raymond, Jr., EPIO
Founder, PDR Strategies
Paul is one of only 201 FEMA Executive Public Information Officers nationwide and a seasoned leader with more than 20 years in state government and public safety. He directed New Hampshire’s COVID-19 Joint Information Center, served as Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Corrections, and has taught hundreds of emergency managers and PIOs as an instructor with FEMA’s National Disaster & Emergency Management University. Paul specializes in strategic communication, executive advising, crisis planning, and helping agencies build communication systems that work under pressure.
Emily Kaster, CEM
CEO, Next Wave Preparedness
Emily is an emergency management expert with deep experience writing LEOPs, COOPs, Hazard Mitigation, and department-level response plans. She led a county office of emergency management in Maine, has facilitated dozens of tabletop exercises, and is known for her clear, pragmatic, and actionable approach to planning. Emily blends strong technical skill with a grounded understanding of how small and mid-sized towns operate—and how to support municipal emergency managers with realistic, usable solutions.
WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP?
Practice over theory
We bring real-world emergency management and executive-level experience to every engagement.
Built for municipalities
Tailored scopes, grant-savvy, and fast turnarounds that fit local realities.
Plans that people can use
Clear steps, clean templates, and training that sticks.
Why This Partnership Works
Most planning firms focus solely on documentation. Most communications consultants focus solely on messaging.
We bridge the gap.
Because a modern LEOP or COOP should not only meet requirements—
it should guide leaders, inform responders, and support public confidence.
Our joint approach ensures:
- Plans are easy to understand
- Stakeholders know their roles
- Executives can communicate clearly
- Departments can train effectively
- Communities can trust the process
Planning isn’t just paperwork. It’s preparedness, operations, and trust.
What You Can Expect From Us
When you work with this partnership, you gain:
1. A guided, collaborative process
We meet you where your community is and build plans that reflect your operations, capacities, and people.
2. Compliance without complexity
Your plans align with local, county, state & federal expectations—without unnecessary jargon or weight.
3. Tools and templates you can actually use
From self-assessments to message maps, you get products that simplify planning, not complicate it.
4. Training and support for your team
Workshops, briefings, and exercises ensure your staff knows the plan and can apply it.
5. Plans ready for real-world conditions
Operational. Communicable. Repeatable.
Not just “checked box” documents.
Let’s Strengthen Your Community Together
Whether you’re updating your LEOP, building a COOP, preparing for leadership transitions, or simply unsure where to start—we’re ready to help.
Request a consultation or explore our tools and services to get started.