The Emergency Preparedness Institute (EPI) is a collaboration between Risk Reduction Education Inc., a risk management firm based in Mt Prospect, Illinois and Jackstreet Media, a new media firm based in Los Angeles, California.

Norris Beren
Executive Director
Norris Beren is a 30 year veteran in the field of emergency management, specializing in identifying, reducing and managing risk.

As Executive Director, of EPI Beren has become a a recognized authority on risk reduction. Beren has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Illinois and attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago. For three decades, Mr. Beren has worked with over 1000 companies managing risk and safety management programs. He earned the Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM) designation from the National Bureau of Certified Consultants. Beren is also the author of “When Disaster Strikes Home” 101+ ways to protect your family from unthinkable emergencies." The book and workbook have been adopted by companies like Federal Express and organizations like Michigan State Police, and The Society for Human Resource Management, La Crosse, Wisconsin chapter, to help establish contingency plans for their employees.

Sara Bylak
President
Bylak is a 23 year veteran in the field of emergency managment, specializing in identifying, reducing and managing risk.

As president of EPI, Bylak is responsible for managing the ongoing programs of the organization and overseeing all operational issue.

Errol Smith
Director of Communications
Errol Smith is an outside advisor who manages the company's communications and programming. Smith is founder of Jackstreet Media, a leading new media company specializing in combining traditional broadcasting with new media technology to package and deliver information directly to those who are most interested. . An accomplished broadaster, Smith is experienced in information programming and has 5 Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award to his credit.