When LaGuardia Airport shut down because of a tragic runway collision, USC MSEM graduate Jazmin Thomas was at the center of the response—coordinating communication across New York City’s top emergency agencies.
“We received word around 11:45 p.m. that a plane had crashed at LaGuardia. At that moment, we didn’t know the scale, the impact, or if there were casualties,” says MSEM alum Jazmin Thomas of the fatal Air Canada runway collision that occurred on March 22, 2026. Details were scarce but the large multi-agency coordination was well underway. From her desk at the New York Fire Department Operations Center (FDOC), Thomas leads interagency communications in response to major emergencies. “This was a unique incident for New York City—we had to ensure everyone was on the same page immediately. My job [that day] was to ensure that every agency—from firefighters to police to the Red Cross—was connected, coordinated, and had what they needed.”
Coordinating a Multi-Agency Response
The crash occurred when an Air Canada Express flight collided with a Port Authority fire-rescue truck as it was crossing the runway in response to a separate emergency, killing the two pilots and injuring many passengers. While there is still speculation about possible causes, it is widely believed to be a result of multiple factors. This is one of the largest challenges in Thomas’s role—it is critical to maintain situational awareness in the face of sensitive, shifting details. “I made sure information was verified before it went out. Interagency collaboration only works if everyone is operating with the same information. Accuracy matters, especially in a crisis.” Security Information Management Systems (SIMS) help provide a digital source of truth, and well-established protocols like the Citywide Incident Management System give responders a framework for collaboration. “We operate under a unified incident command structure—everyone is on the same team, moving towards the same goal.”
Managing the Ripple Effects of an Emergency
Following the collision, flights out of LaGuardia Airport were halted for most of the day, and when operations did resume, it was with only one of the two runways. “Even a single airport closure can ripple across the entire national air traffic system,” says Thomas. “People don’t always see how far-reaching the impact of one incident can be.” The cascade of effects demands real-time coordination across aviation authorities, emergency responders and federal agencies. Training in large-scale incident coordination is critical for those managing communications. “We train for these moments—but when it happens, agencies go back, train, and prepare even more—because now it’s real.”
How USC’s Online MSEM Prepared Her to Lead
Thomas remains connected to USC’s online Master of Science in Emergency Management as a program ambassador. She speaks with prospective students about their goals and mentors those seeking to follow her path. Currently pursuing her doctorate, Thomas shares how USC’s online MSEM shaped her journey. “Bovard prepared me by combining theory with practice and pushing me forward as a leader. It gave me the confidence to step up and do what needed to be done in high-pressure situations [and] helped propel me forward in emergency response without hesitation.” With courses like Operational Coordination in Emergency Management and Emergency Management Communication, the online MSEM prepares students to navigate these high-stakes moments. Thomas’s biggest piece of advice for anyone in, or responding to an emergency: “Remaining calm in a disaster is just as important as taking action. You have to stay grounded. You can’t let the chaos take over—you focus on what matters.”
Learn how USC Bovard College’s Master of Science in Emergency Management can prepare you to lead when it matters most.