City provides update on IT challenges from CrowdStrike outage
The City of Philadelphia provided an update one week after the significant challenges to its computer networks and city service delivery posed by the global CrowdStrike outage that began on July 19.
By 1:30 a.m. that day, the city’s Data Center Team and IT Command Center had detected the issue, setting the stage for a coordinated, rapid response.
City IT experts interacted closely all day, through the weekend and the early portion of last week with the city’s Office of Emergency Management, which coordinated and tracked the city’s emergency response and readiness during this crisis. OEM activated the city’s emergency operations at 7:30 a.m. that day, at the direction of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Managing Director Adam Thiel.
City security and platform engineering teams acted to identify and implement solutions, ensuring the integrity and security of its computer systems. Meanwhile, the support services team, Deputy CIOs, IT directors and managers, networking team, original equipment manufacturers, IT technicians and analysts, and numerous volunteers worked to restore functionality to over 6,000 affected computer systems. Thanks to all these efforts, the majority of data servers and core systems were operational by midday. By July 22, all city operations were fully functional. Normal operations resumed by midweek, and the city continues to maintain oversight of its systems and data.
“I am very proud of all the work of our IT professionals all weekend and all week, under the direction of Chief Information Officer Melissa Scott,” said Parker. “I’m just as proud of the work of all our emergency management staff under OEM Director Dominick Mireles. Working as one integrated government, the City of Philadelphia responded to this crisis, and worked every day to maintain our systems. We passed this test with flying colors.”
Office of Emergency Management reported that as of July 24, 99 percent of city devices were restored. The remaining 1 percent are devices that may be with individual employees and not yet seen by IT staff, and other individual issues – IT is in a constant state of issue mitigation and recovery.
“I am very pleased to see that our Standard Operating Procedure for coordination across all levels of public, private,and nonprofit stakeholders in a citywide event worked well,” Mireles said. “While critical issues were not present at a large scale, the city had a structure in place to work quickly and efficiently as one coordinated function to problem-solve, if needed. While the impacts of this event were not as bad as they could have been, it serves as a good reminder that as a business or an organization of any size, we need to have a solid continuity of operations plan in place – and as private individuals, we need to take our own cybersecurity and backup plans seriously. Right now is a great time to visit www.ready.gov for more information from FEMA about how to prepare yourself or your business from a cyber incident in the future.”
Parker signs public health-related bills
Mayor Cherelle Parker signed two bills that she said will enhance public health and quality of life in Philadelphia’s most vulnerable neighborhoods during a ceremony at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. The bills included a hospital assessment bill, and a bill that will allow the city’s Department of Public Health to open a health center on the Friends Hospital campus in the Northeast section of Philadelphia.
The Hospital Assessment Bill benefits some of Philadelphia’s local hospitals (particularly children’s and cancer hospitals), the Health Department and the city’s most vulnerable citizens.
“The bills I am signing today allows for the expansion of the program to include additional hospitals – specifically, children’s hospitals and cancer hospitals, while also paving the way for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to build its new City Health Center on the campus that will offer comprehensive primary care for both adults and children,” said Parker. “When we’re talking about safety in our city, ensuring that residents have access to their health providers, medical treatment and lifesaving medicine, this is all part of that formula.”
The Philadelphia Hospital Assessment will renew an existing assessment that has been in place since 2009 and expands the program to include additional hospitals – specifically, children’s hospitals and cancer hospitals. It allows the city and state to generate federal Medicaid matching funds for a program that brings federal money to Philadelphia that mirrors enabling state legislation that is expected to pass in Harrisburg. The bill authorizes the Department of Public Health to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the state Department of Human Services, relating to such hospital assessments.
The Friends Hospital bill changes the zoning designation. This bill paves the way for the city Department of Public Health to build its new city health center on the campus of Friends Hospital, offering comprehensive primary care for both adults and children.
The city has 10 public health centers and only one center is located in the Northeast. Because it is the only Northeast location, Health Center 10 has more than four times the average wait time for initial visits for children at the city’s other health centers and nearly twice for adults. These sites will offer comprehensive primary care, including adult and pediatric care, women’s health, prenatal care, dental, laboratory, pharmacy, behavioral health counselors, health navigators, insurance counselors and specialty referrals. Patients costs are minimal: a sliding fee scale of $5-$20 for medical visits; no charge for other services.
Evans introduces bill promotes peer mentorship
Congressman Dwight Evans introduced a bipartisan bill that would promote peer mentorship across the child-welfare system to help parents and caregivers of youth receiving services, foster parents and adoptive parents. The House Ways and Means Committee approved substantially similar legislation July 24.
“This would help more parents of vulnerable young people to get vital assistance, and I believe that starting out with bipartisan support increases the chance of passing this type of legislation in the full House,” Evans said. “I want to thank all four co-lead sponsors for coming together to help parents and kids.”
The PEER Mentors Act would amend the Social Security Act to include peer mentorship services as eligible for funding as part of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. The legislation would promote mentorship from:
● parents who have received family preservation services with positive child and family outcomes to parents who are currently receiving family preservation services to best navigate the child welfare system;
● experienced foster parents to current foster parents to support and retain foster parents;
● both former foster parents and parents who have received family reunification services and sustained reunification to current foster parents and parents receiving family reunification services to promote constructive relationships between birth and foster parents that can promote stability for the child and lead to reunification; and
● mentors who can support parents receiving adoption promotion and support services.
“National Foster Youth Institute strongly supports efforts to build mentorship opportunities within the child welfare system,” the organization said in a statement. “The Parents Engaging with Experienced Resilient Mentors Act of 2024 provides an opportunity for collaboration between former and current foster parents and those involved in reunification services to help create a stable environment for children.”
The Sarah Ralston Foundation seeks new board members
The Sarah Ralston Foundation is offering an opportunity for individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of Philadelphia’s older adults. SRF is seeking dedicated and dynamic individuals to join its Board of Directors and help steer its mission.
Founded in 1817 by Sarah Ralston, the Ralston Center was Philadelphia’s first home for aging women and single women who had fallen on hard times. It later evolved to serve seniors’ health and wellness needs in West and Northwest Philadelphia. The Sarah Ralston Foundation was spun off from this centuries-old institution to continue its legacy of service, dedicated to supporting underserved, vulnerable older adults in Philadelphia. Interested applicants should email Lynette Killen, executive director, at lkillen@sarahralstonfoundation.org.
Learn more at www.sarahralstonfoundation.org.
Women’s Film Festival returns to Philly
From Aug. 15-25, the Women’s Film Festival will feature screenings, workshops and networking opportunities for the filmmakers and audiences. Selections come from the submissions received domestically and internationally. This year also boasts films from local filmmakers that will be spotlighted in the Philly Philmmakers program.
Opening night will be a thriller by two local filmmakers with the feature film, Last Known Location, written by and starring West Chester resident Aimee Donnelly and directed by her husband, Danny Donnelly. The film will be screened at the Perelman building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art followed by a party at Rittenhouse Grill. The subsequent films will primarily take place at the Neighborhood House Performance Venue at Christ Church with a special “Dinner and a Movie” night at City Winery.
Halloween comes early with Glass Casa, a dark comedy directed by filmmaker Laa Marcus, and the closing night film Lost Joy, a horror film with twists and turns co-written and starring Winter Bassett.
Other highlights include several educational documentaries. Jailhouse to Milhouse takes a look at the journey of Pamela Hayden, voice of Milhouse and several other characters on “The Simpsons.” After surviving an abusive boarding school and juvenile jail, Pamela now speaks to teen girls about overcoming obstacles. Interception: Jayne Kennedy • American Sportscaster chronicles the tumultuous story of Jayne Kennedy, a black woman who tackled the racial lines of American sportscasting.
The festival features comedies, documentaries, features and short programs “By, For and About Women.” The mission of the Women’s Film Festival is to provide a vehicle to tell women’s stories and to uplift and support women filmmakers.
AM Radio Trio band to perform at Protestant Home
AM Radio Trio band will perform a free concert on Wednesday, July 31, at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road.
The concert will start at 7 p.m. in the air-conditioned PPH social hall.
There is convenient parking on campus. All are welcome.
AM Radio Trio is a three-piece band that prides itself on a beautiful, versatile sound and broad fanbase.
Guests can expect a ride in the way-back machine, as AM Radio Trio will play all your favorite tunes, featuring intricate 3-part vocal harmonies, rendered acoustically. ••
Hero Thrill Show is Sept. 21
The 69th annual Hero Thrill Show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Wells Fargo Center.
Tickets are $15 for individuals and $35 for a family (up to five).
Proceeds pay for the college tuition of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
For more information, go to herothrillshow.org. ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
Aug. 3: Tyler Henry, The Hollywood Medium
Aug. 23: The Marshall Tucker Band
Sept. 7: Australian Pink Floyd
Sept. 21: Dustin Lynch
Oct. 4: Heather McDonald
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Party for West Catholic girls class of ‘69
West Catholic Girls Class of 1969 will have its 55th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The cost for the luncheon is $65. Call Hannah at 610-764-3249. ••
Ukrainian Folk Festival in August
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
There will be Ukrainian folk art, music, dance, crafts and historical reenactments, a variety of food and refreshments and a vendors grove. Admission is $15, and a portion will be donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine. Kids under 15 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Call 267-664-3857, email info@tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
