Day One: March 12, 2008

8:30
Conference Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00
Keynote Address: The US Department of Homeland Security - Meeting and Managing the Threats of Today and Tomorrow
As it enters its sixth year of operation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the most important and infl uential branches of the federal government. Since its creation in 2002, the DHS has been tasked with restructuring agencies, practices and policies to provide the best protection for American citizens. Gain fi rst-hand knowledge about the p¬rogress that has been made in these efforts and the steps being undertaken to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Discover the newest challenges facing the federal government and fi rst responders in their efforts to improve planning, preparedness and response.
Vice Admiral Harvey E. Johnson, Jr., Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security

10:00
Partnering for Preparedness: Engaging All Stakeholders to Enhance Collaboration
One of the most diffi cult aspects of any major project is identifying and including all important stakeholders. In order to effectively manage public health and medical response it is necessary to involve various aspects of the community, including business owners, law enforcement offi cials, medical professionals, public health offi cials, community leaders and government agencies. Identify diffi culties which you may face and discover ways to overcome these obstacles. Learn how to smoothly incorporate stakeholders into a functional and effective working group.
Colonel Randall J. Larsen, USAF (Ret), Director, The Institute for Homeland Security

11:00
Break & Refreshments

11:15
Homeland Security in the Press

• Identify the role of the media as it relates to homeland security issues and coverage
• Learn how to communicate with media during an incident and high public concern
• Examine the impact of the media on homeland security policy-making
  Mickey McCarter, Senior Correspondent, HSToday

12:15
Networking Luncheon

1:00
Track A: All-Hazards Planning for Preparedness Preparing and Assessing Your Agency’s Needs

• Discover how to undertake site surveys/risk assessments that incorporate physical protective measures and security responses
• Analyze the appropriateness of plans, policies, procedures and other preparedness elements currently in place
• Understand what changes and improvements your agency needs to make in their planning and readiness process
  Steven D. Bice, Director Medical Emergency Preparedness and Response, MacAulay Brown, Inc.

Track B: Managing for Compliance NIMS in Action: Effectively Implementing NIMS and ICS on Scene

• Learn how to make NIMS work at a scene
• Use NIMS and ICS on scene to allow for the most effective, safe job possible
• Clarify details and real practices of NIMS in practice
  Phil East, Vice President EMAC International, LLC
  

2:00
Break & Refreshments

2:30
Track A: Planning for Preparedness Developing a Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan

• Create monitoring and early detection plans to contain an outbreak
• Hear best practices from experts on how to plan and manage emergency response
• Identify strategies for coordinating with first responders and health care personnel
  Anthony Kimery, Senior Reporter, HSToday

Track B: Managing for Compliance Credentialing Initiatives for First Responders

• Understand inter-operable credentials for first responders
• Integrate credentialing into current to improve methods, capabilities and coordination of emergency responders
• Develop an integrated system that will assist emergency managers
  Phil East Vice President EMAC International, LLC

3:30
Track A: Planning for Preparedness

• Effectively Managing Personnel in a Crisis Situation
• Discuss the realities of how departments deal with budget cuts, loss of personnel and new populations of non-residents
• Understand how personnel will react in emergency situations
• Develop contingency plans for managing staffing
  Alexis Silverman, Infection Control Practitioner, Toronto General Hospital

Track B: Managing for Compliance

Day Two: March 13, 2008

9:00
Keynote Address: Identifying the Role of the Federal Government in Current and Future Threats
The attacks of September 11 have resulted in improved communication, preparedness and interoperability amongst state and local agencies and business partners—but what else can be done to effectively address and prevent future threats to US citizens? In this keynote address, hear about current initiatives in planning and prevention through federal agencies and how they are enhancing preparedness efforts, stakeholder buy-in, awareness, communication and facility safety.
Edward Badolato, President & CEO of Integrated Infrastructure Analytics, Inc. (IIA)

10:00
Developing and Implementing a Citizen Preparedness Plan
Emergency response begins at the lowest levels. Many first responders during a regional emergency will be untrained citizens. In order to enhance community preparedness, develop a system to kindle citizen involvement in emergency planning. Institute a CERT program to train community volunteers to assist during an emergency. Develop a method to distribute emergency kits, evacuation plans, emergency care charts, and basic victim aid.
Lyman Monroe Responder/Task Manager EAI, Homeland Security

11:00
Break & Refreshments

11:15
Understanding Catastrophic Events and Other Threats

• Learn why infectious diseases pose the greatest threat and how to combat their spread
• Discover how to assess the threat of natural disasters and prepare for response
• Hear how the latest homeland security initiatives will impact future events
  Bill Stanhope, Associate Director of Special Projects, Saint Louis University, Institute for BioSercurity
  

12:15
Networking Luncheon

1:00
Track C: Funding and Resource Update
Legislative and Congressional Implications on Homeland Security Funding

• Discuss how and what priorities for homeland security will change under new leadership
• Determine what legislation affects homeland security funding
• Hear about trends in the future of homeland security funding
  Dave Price, Director of Homeland Safety and Risk Management, City of Xenia Ohio

Track D: Preparing for the Next Threat
Combating the Threat of IEDs and Bombings

• Examine the use of IED and other explosive devices and tactics used by terrorists
• Improve your agency’s response capabilities to an IED attack
• Understand first responder capabilities and avenues for resource coordination
  Bill Stanhope, Associate Director of Special Projects, Saint Louis University, Institute for BioSercurity
  

2:00
Break & Refreshments

2:15
Track C: Funding and Resource Update
A Look at DHS Funding for 2008-2009

• Examine the budget available for homeland security grants and priorities for the next grant cycle
• Hear about the latest funding initiatives and grant program allocations
• Identify which grants your agency are eligible to apply for
  Elizabeth Holden, Senior Fellow, The Performance Institute/CEO and Founder, Primepoint

Track D: Preparing for the Next Threat
Strengthening Emergency Response and Security in Schools

• Establish operational needs, planning, and administrative guidelines to effectively respond to school emergencies
• Learn how to develop a response plan based on the Incident Command System
• Create safe school initiatives to prevent school violence and protect your community
  Robert Farrell, Coordinator of Safety, Security, and Risk Management, Allegany County Board of Education
  

3:15
Track C: Funding and Resource Update
Equipment and Training Grants

• Identify programs involving interoperability between federal and local response agencies in times of crisis
• Discover funds earmarked for equipment purchases and training for first responders
• Secure the portion of DHS funds available to help offset the costs associated with enhanced security measures deployed under heightened threat levels
  Elizabeth Holden, Senior Fellow, The Performance Institute/CEO and Founder, Primepoint
  

Track D: Preparing for the Next Threat
Identifying the Danger of Homegrown Radicalization

• Examine the increasing threat of homegrown terrorists in the United States
• Identify the aspects of self-recruitment, training and execution associated with US terrorists and their information sharing
• Hear the history and recent occurrences of homegrown terrorism in the US and abroad
  Jan Lane, Deputy Director, The George Washington University Office of Homeland Security

4:30
Conference Adjourns

Day Three: March 14, 2008

8:30
Workshop Registration & Continental Breakfast
Join us for these interactive, hands – on workshops designed for you to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
These workshops are designed to address important issues and challenges and allow you develop plans and walk away with practical tools for implementation.

9:00
Workshop A: Tabletop Scenario-Based Exercises: Natural Disaster / Victim Response
Participants will be presented with a scenario that encompasses a natural disaster with a high number of casualties and a number of criteria that limit resource availability. Drawing on personal incident response experience, lessons learned in earlier presentations, group discussion and cooperative efforts, participants will be tasked with creating a prioritized and comprehensive response plan. Through group discussion and information sharing, participants will work through this scenario to establish priorities, prevention measures, planning options and incident command systems necessary to effectively respond to emergencies.

• Establish a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance your agency’s ability to manage natural disaster/victim incidents
• Incorporate best practices from homeland security,emergency management, law enforcement and emergency medical services into a unified structure
• Learn top strategies to strengthen your response and prepare your agency for a critical incident
  Bill Stanhope, Associate Director of Special Projects, Saint Louis University,Institute for BioSercurity

Workshop B: Show Me the Money!

• Identifying, Writing and Securing Grants for Your Agency Consistent with NIMS Criteria
  Identify and learn the latest funding trends from all public and private grant makers.Unearth the latest information from federal and state programs; independent, operating, corporate and community foundations and individuals and corporations.
• Discover fundamental elements of successful grant applications
  Gain valuable information on how to write winning grants. Master essential principles that are needed to craft a proposal that wins. Obtain knowledge of contents and characteristics of a successful proposal, the various factors to consider when writing a proposal and innovative grant writing tips and strategies.
  
• Learn grants management strategies
  Focus on programmatic and fi scal reporting requirements for federal programs, foundations or private funders. Identify grant application parameters and guidelines. Ensure funds are spent according to applicable laws and regulations.
  Elizabeth Holden, Senior Fellow, The Performance Institute/CEO and Founder, Primepoint
  

12:00
Networking Luncheon

1:00
Workshop C: Tabletop Scenario Exercise: Developing a Continuity of Operations Plan
Participants will engage in hands-on activities to develop a Continuity of Operations Plan for your organization. Working with other participants to consider every incident that your organization could face and using information learned from the rest of the conference, you will begin to create a comprehensive COOP plan. This workshop will also help you determine how to delegate COOP tasks and tailor an implementation strategy to your agency.

• Learn how to demonstrate the ability to plan response operations, identify functions, and transfer of command and control
• Confirm plans and procedures, and determine necessary changes required to have a successful COOP
• Address recovery of critical and essential operations during an emergency incident which disrupts businesses, education and healthcare communities
  Lyman Monroe Responder/Task Manager EAI, Homeland Security

Workshop D: Tabletop Scenario Exercise: Responding to Terrorist Incidents and IED Attacks
Participants will be presented with the history of IED and other explosive device use and specific weapons and tactics used by terrorists in these events. Participants will then examine a variety of strategies available to combat such tactics in the areas of intelligence, training and specific equipment. The next phase of the workshop will consist of a table-top scenario that encompasses an IED attack of unknown origin with a high number of casualties. Drawing on lessons learned earlier in the presentation, the class in small groups will be tasked
with creating a prioritized and comprehensive response plan. This workshop will improve your agency’s response capabilities to an IED attack and will improve your understanding of first responder capabilities and avenues for coordination of resources.
Bill Stanhope, Associate Director of Special Projects, Saint Louis University, Institute for BioSercurity