News
Griffin LLC believes strongly that we must be part of the community in order to foster resilience among its citizens. Our team shares their perspective with a variety of audiences on how hazard management and resilience intersect with identity, culture, and disability. This page is updated regularly to report on our engagement with the community and to highlight venues featuring our team's voices.
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December 6, 2021 Pawsitive Interactions with Service Dogs at NIH DFRS
Griffin will be visiting the National Institute of Health's Bethesda, MD campus to conduct our training program on interacting with service dogs during everyday and crisis situations. The NIH Division of Fire and Rescue is a highly specialized response agency responsible for guarding against HAZMAT and other unique hazards at the nation’s medical research agency.
This training is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC).
news archive
November 19, 2021 Griffin Webinar with Fidos for Freedom
Join Griffin for a webinar on the topic What People with Service Dogs Want You to Know in partnership with Fidos for Freedom.
Learn how you can be an advocate and bring your questions to this panel discussion on the role of service dogs in the lives of people with disabilities.
"The goal of the IAEM Annual Conference is to improve your knowledge, competency level and collaborative skills."
Cg Garrard, Sophia Rutti, and Charlotte Stasio presented Pawsitive Interactions with Service Dogs during Response Operations: Best Practices and Live Demonstration at the International Association of Emergency Managers 69th Annual Conference & EMEX in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Griffin earned one of the highest reviews for sessions at the conference, with a 4.79 / 5. Participants learned about the Americans with Disabilities Act, best practices for first responders, and interacted with service dog Noni on stage.
AUGUST 17, 2021 Cg Garrard on NBC 4
On August 17, 2021 Griffin Owner Cg Garrard's appearance on the NBC 4 Washington "Working 4 You" segment was broadcast. She discussed why she founded our company and the amazing success we had with the Kiva microlending platform.
Watch the segment below. Special thanks to NBC Washington Reporter Justin Finch!
Griffin Owner Cg Garrard participated in the first ever webinar series for IAEM Region 9! This webinar series, as an IAEM R9 Presidential promise of engagement, will bring awareness to the Region and will be the provided space for conversation on topics that impact the emergency management field.
Cg Garrard participated as a panelist speaker in the second webinar of the series, "Diversity in Emergency Management."
JULY 15, 2021 NBC 4 Interview with Justin Finch
Cg Garrard and Kristi C. Whitfield, Director, Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) met with Justin Finch of NBC4 Washington to talk about Griffin's experience with The DC Kiva Hub!
"The 46th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop will be organized around the theme of The Hazards and Disaster Workforce: Preparing to Meet 21st Century Challenges."
Cg Garrard and Charlotte Stasio facilitated the session Pawsitive Interactions—Helping Responders Work with Service Dogs on Sunday, July 11.
JUNE 14, 2021 Griffin designated as DC Equity Impact Enterprise (EIE)
Griffin LLC is now certified by the District as an EIE, based on the Equity Impact Enterprise Establishment Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-0149). The EIE category is defined as:
"A business enterprise that is a resident- owned business and a small business enterprise that can demonstrate that it is at least 51% owned by an individual who is, or a majority number of individuals who are: “(A) Economically disadvantaged individuals; or “(B) Individuals who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities."
The new EIE category provides a business with five (5) additional preference points or a ten (10) percent price reduction, pursuant to the law.
Griffin Owner Cg Garrard, was featured on an episode of AEMO's Fast Four sharing 4 minutes of advice for aspiring emergency managers. You can watch on their YouTube Channel and join their LinkedIn Group.
JUNE 2, 2021 Griffin's Kiva Loan Campaign
Griffin LLC was proud to be the first DC Certified Business Enterprise to be approved for a Kiva loan through DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD)! Kiva is a global microlending platform recognized for its work in publications like TIME and by philanthropists like Oprah. Griffin staff and consultants are excited to share that the loan was funded within 3 days by lenders all over the world!
Though our Kiva campaign is no longer active, you can always support our mission by sending money directly through PayPal at https://paypal.me/griffinworksdotorg!
MAY 21, 2021 EMS Week 2021 with Annabelle and DC FEMS
Therapy Dog Annabelle spent an hour cuddling DC Fire and EMS Department at Engine Co 2 on May 21st. Therapy dogs, unlike service dogs, are available to support the general public by encouraging an increase in oxytocin and dopamine, and a decrease cortisol levels in the body. Contact me for training on how service dogs (regulated by federal law) and therapy dogs are different and how the law impacts emergency response operations. Contact us to talk about training available for your staff.
Community Engagement
Check out Griffin's Instagram for more on our engagement with the community and, let's face it, pictures of cute dogs and delicious food because...it's Instagram.
Integrity & Values
Griffin full-service hazard management firm with steadfast moral principles:
Exercise honesty and integrity and everything we do
Earn the community's trust
Solutions must be sustainable
Find a seat at the table for all voices
No tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind