Sharing Info from MEMA's 2015 Hurricane Preparedness Conference

Welcoming Remarks by Kurt N. Schwartz,
 Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

MEMA's 2015 Hurricane Preparedness Conference

Late last month - Thursday, May 28th - I had the privilege to attend the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's 2015 Hurricane Preparedness Conference in Norwood, MA.

I'm still digesting all the information and files I received from this conference, but I wanted to share the agenda plus presentation links with you today.

This information is not just for the professionals. Each of us in the North East should have a thorough understanding of hurricane preparation practices.

Important: If you are interested in future MEMA training courses, seminars, and conferences - visit the MEMA site and log into their Training Registration System. You will receive email alerts for training opportunities plus view calendars of upcoming courses offered across Massachusetts.

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2015 Hurricane Preparedness Conference Agenda

Speaker Biographies 

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8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Welcoming Remarks by MEMA Director Kurt N. Schwartz

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8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

National Hurricane Center Products and Seasonal Outlook   file size4MB

Local Office Hurricane Products and Services   file size6MB

Bob Thompson, Meteorologist-in-Charge, National Weather Service, Taunton, MA

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9:45 AM - 10:35 AM

Public Response to Hurricane Threats in Massachusetts   file size2MB

Dr. Earl J. “Jay” Baker, Associate Professor, Florida State University

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10:35 AM - 11:05 AM

Debris Overview   file size1MB

Scott MacLeod, Mitigation & Disaster Recovery Section Chief, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

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11:05 AM - 11:50 AM

Media and Hurricane Preparedness   file size2MB

Matt Noyes, Chief Meteorologist, New England Cable News

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12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

Re-Entry and Rebuilding After a Disaster   file size6MB

Amy Grzybowski, Town Manager, Town of Westerly, Rhode Island

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1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Preventing Further Harm: Practical Insights   file size4MB

Lisa Crowner, Statewide Health Educator/Trainer, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

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2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

                Emergency Power; Fuel supply chain after a Hurricane and Power Restoration  file size1MB

Mike McCallan, Director of Emergency Planning, National Grid

A Fuel Retailer’s Perspective on Hurricane Preparedness   file size1MB

Tom Cacciola, Vice President of Facilities Support, The Cumberland Gulf Group

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3:00 PM - 3:20 PM

HURREVAC Overview   file size1MB

Paul Morey, Hurricane Program Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region I

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3:20 PM - 3:45 PM

Know Your Zone   file size1MB

Kurt N. Schwartz, Undersecretary for Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security; Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

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For additional hurricane preparation info plus general emergency planning resources, visit the MEMA site at http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/.

Image credit: Patrick O'Connor

Emergency Tip: June's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Unique Family Needs

GOAL FOR JUNE: Be aware of and prepare for your

 family’s unique needs.

It's time to think about Your Family's Unique Needs

June's Do 1 Thing task is Unique Family Needs -  know how to ensure you plan for your family's unique needs during an emergency.

Every household is different. Is there an infant or young child in your home? Does someone in your family have a medical condition that requires medication? Do you have a pet? Before disaster strikes, talk to your family about your household’s unique needs. Make a list of special items you may need in a disaster.

Below is a list of things that you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Talk with family members to identify your household’s unique needs.
• Make a plan to make sure pets are taken care of in a disaster.
• If you or someone in your household has a disability, create an evacuation plan that works for them.

Learn more: The “Unique Family Needs” fact sheet has more information about being aware of and preparing for your family’s unique needs. (This fact sheet is available in additional languages and formats here.)

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on family preparation.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: http://do1thing.com/