Emergency Management Conference

Emergency Management Conference Focuses on Homeland Security Grants, Terrorism, Disaster Response

Over 600 local officials and first responders plan on attending

BRANSON, April 4, 2007-Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the 19th Annual Emergency Management Conference will focus on a variety of terrorism and emergency response issues ranging from homeland security grants and terrorism, medical disaster considerations, to partnering with local communities and businesses during a disaster.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), a division within the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Emergency Preparedness Association (MEPA) are co-hosting the conference in Branson beginning today through April 6th.

“Homeland security is the responsibility of every Missourian,” Blunt said. “United as a state, we must continue to improve disaster plans, response efforts and recovery information and share those ideas and goals with emergency managers and first responders.”

Blunt has reorganized Missouri’s homeland security efforts to implement a unified seamless approach with an emphasis on building public and private partnerships, a regionalization strategy to disseminate federal homeland security funds, dedicating much-needed funds to interoperable communications and supporting Missouri’s first Information Analysis Center.

Conference Keynote Speaker, Cory Gruber, Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Grants and Training in Washington D.C., will speak about the future of the homeland security grant program in general, and how it complements strategic planning, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Plan (NRP), and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). He will discuss how the new National Preparedness Directorate within FEMA will bring these efforts under a new umbrella.

In addition to Gruber, other featured conference speakers include Aaron Richman on Israeli response to terrorist bombings, Dr. Joe Waeckerle on Emergency Medicine in Disasters, Dr. Ann Miller on Cyberspace, and Jason Jackson on Wal-Mart Disaster Response.

Ron Reynolds, SEMA Director noted that over 600 local officials and responders have pre-registered for the conference. Conference participants will have the opportunity to attend over 20 breakout workshops, the Missouri Emergency Response Commission Meeting, a MEPA meeting, and the MoVOAD (Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Meeting.

Some of the 20 breakout sessions include logistics, small community disaster planning, acquiring generators, the winter storm response, special needs planning, pandemic planning, small animal planning, and using volunteers in disaster response.

*News Release*
*Public Safety*	Matt Blunt, Governor	Mark James, Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact: Terri Durdaller Communication Director Work:(573) 751-4819 Cell: (573) 301-2023
Emergency Management Conference Focuses on Homeland Security Grants, Terrorism, Disaster Response Over 600 local officials and first responders plan on attending BRANSON, April 4, 2007-Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the 19th Annual Emergency Management Conference will focus on a variety of terrorism and emergency response issues ranging from homeland security grants and terrorism, medical disaster considerations, to partnering with local communities and businesses during a disaster. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), a division within the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Emergency Preparedness Association (MEPA) are co-hosting the conference in Branson beginning today through April 6th. “Homeland security is the responsibility of every Missourian,” Blunt said. “United as a state, we must continue to improve disaster plans, response efforts and recovery information and share those ideas and goals with emergency managers and first responders.” Blunt has reorganized Missouri’s homeland security efforts to implement a unified seamless approach with an emphasis on building public and private partnerships, a regionalization strategy to disseminate federal homeland security funds, dedicating much-needed funds to interoperable communications and supporting Missouri’s first Information Analysis Center. Conference Keynote Speaker, Cory Gruber, Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Grants and Training in Washington D.C., will speak about the future of the homeland security grant program in general, and how it complements strategic planning, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Plan (NRP), and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). He will discuss how the new National Preparedness Directorate within FEMA will bring these efforts under a new umbrella. In addition to Gruber, other featured conference speakers include Aaron Richman on Israeli response to terrorist bombings, Dr. Joe Waeckerle on Emergency Medicine in Disasters, Dr. Ann Miller on Cyberspace, and Jason Jackson on Wal-Mart Disaster Response. Ron Reynolds, SEMA Director noted that over 600 local officials and responders have pre-registered for the conference. Conference participants will have the opportunity to attend over 20 breakout workshops, the Missouri Emergency Response Commission Meeting, a MEPA meeting, and the MoVOAD (Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Meeting. Some of the 20 breakout sessions include logistics, small community disaster planning, acquiring generators, the winter storm response, special needs planning, pandemic planning, small animal planning, and using volunteers in disaster response.
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