Discover Resilience: The Podcast Protecting a city within a city: Emergency operations in the USA's largest public housing system
Feb 17, 2026
Rudy Murillo, VP of Emergency Management and Services at NYCHA and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, leads 24/7 emergency communications for over half a million residents. He discusses scaling emergency programs inside a huge housing system. Topics include merging teams, clarifying roles, focusing on impact-driven risks like climate and budgets, and practical steps for building resilient, equity-centered response systems.
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Pregnant Hiker Encounters Black Bear
- Casey recounts hiking in Montana while six months pregnant and encountering a black bear with cubs, where she used calm breathing and bear spray to stay safe.
- That experience convinced her she could handle high-pressure crises calmly.
From Marines To City Emergency Management
- Rudy Murillo described his Marine Corps service and embassy security duty as the origin of his emergency management skills.
- He transitioned into NYC public service after a Marine connection introduced him to a deputy commissioner who hired him in 2011.
NYCHA: A City Without City Powers
- NYCHA operates like a city within a city but lacks the autonomy and resources of an actual city.
- That structural gap forces constant advocacy and cross-government collaboration to manage risks.
