Registration is now open for the 2016 Nebraska Preparedness Conference in South Sioux City, August 12 and 13. The conference will be held at Camp Goodwill Achievement Center.
The Nebraska Preparedness Conference is for state and local officials, emergency management professionals, public health officials, education and community outreach professionals, Citizen Corps, and disaster response volunteers to learn how to prepare for and respond to disasters or emergencies.
Whole community engagement is an approach to disaster preparedness. When the community is engaged in an authentic dialogue, it becomes empowered to identify its needs and the existing resources that may be used to address them. Both the composition of the community and the individual needs of community members, regardless of age, economics, or accessibility requirements, must be accounted for when planning and implementing disaster strategies.
In the spirit of a whole community approach to disaster preparedness, Nebraska Citizen Corps is expanding the annual Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conference to include other volunteer organizations, state and local agencies, and community members interested in disaster preparedness.
In the evening on August 12, participants will learn how to plan for the whole community guided by research and best practices.
On August 13, participants will learn how to manage spontaneous volunteers through FEMA's G-489 course. In disasters, volunteer help is needed, and with basic Emergency Management coordination skills, the volunteer resources can often be put to effective use, making a positive difference in the affected community. The course will discuss the benefits spontaneous volunteers can bring to relief efforts and the challenges they may bring if not coordinated effectively. In addition, the course will examine planning considerations regarding spontaneous volunteers. Special emphasis is also placed on how to make full use of a Volunteer Reception Center. Participants will receive a certificate of completion following the course. This course is being sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, NEMA, Nebraska Extension, ServeNebraska, Nebraska VOAD, and Nebraska Citizen Corps.
There is no registration fee for this conference. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on August 13. There is no registration cap on August 12; however, registration is limited to 50 participants for the G-489 course on August 13.
To register, go to: http://go.unl.edu/2016_ne_prep_conf
For questions, contact Ryan Lowry at ryan.lowry@nebraska.gov or Ashley Mueller at ashley.mueller@unl.edu
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/2016_ne_prep_conf