Keynote Theater 1

• • Thursday

    

    10.30 - 11.00

    Camille Crain
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

    Fortifying Our Future: Cultivating Community Resilience through FEMA's BRIC Program

    

    11.15 - 11.45

    Nick Schuler
    CAL FIRE

    Effective Crisis Communications During Wildfires

    

    12.00 - 12.30

    Justin Pierce
    Los Angeles World Airports

    Final Approach - How LAX Airport Prepares for Natural Disasters

    

    12.45 - 13.15

    Jeanne O'Donnell & Mariela Balam
    Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management

    Linking Prevention and Recovery to Mass Fatality Response Operations

    This session will discuss moving from Lessons Learned to Lessons Applied in mass fatality planning. Using recent incidents as a starting point, emergency managers can build resilient plans when they understand how to integrate existing programs and resources into response planning. The opportunities and challenges of engaging with existing prevention and recovery programs and connecting with non-profits that serve our county.

    

    13.30 - 14.00

    Bernie Nazari
    American Red Cross

    Partnerships in Response and Recovery for Ever-Changing Disasters

    Session will discuss the shift in response and recovery methodologies by the Red Cross in recent years, as disasters are more frequent and devastating. The pathway to recovery has become more complex, leading to creative and innovative partnerships in the government, NGO, and for-profit sectors. The Red Cross has been able to better serve those in need, in particular vulnerable communities, by leveraging the strengths of our partners and volunteers.

    

    14.15 - 14.45

    Jennifer Neelsen
    World Vision

    The Changing Face of International Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Management

    The global humanitarian aid industry has become increasingly localized, politicized, professionalized and criticized in the last decade. What have these changed looked like and where is global disaster management and humanitarian action headed?

    

    15.00 - 15.30

    Amy Forsythe
    US Navy

    Staying Ahead of the Story: Communicating with Clarity During a Crisis

    Communicating with impact during a crisis requires detailed planning, training and testing. This seminar is focused on why a strong communications plan is essential for your organization when “it” hits the fan. Amy will share proven strategies about surviving a crisis from her 30 years of experiences.

  • Friday

    

    10.30 - 11.00

    Dr. Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan
    National Institute of Building Sciences

    Designing Disaster Recovery Times: Building Codes and Lifeline Infrastructure Resilience

    

    11:15 - 11.45

    Dr. Ariel Cohen
    NOAA/National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard, California

    It’s Not Always Sunny in SoCal

    

    12.00 - 12.30

    Art delaCruz
    Team Rubicon

    Turn the Tide: Team Rubicon's Lessons from Hurricane Response

    Hurricanes are among the most devastating natural disasters. How can we prepare for, respond to, and recover from these storms more effectively? Join Art delaCruz, the CEO of Team Rubicon, and learn best practices of hurricane disaster relief in the age of climate change, and how Team Rubicon''s unique model of service, leadership, and community can inspire and empower us all to turn the tide.

    

    12.45 - 13.15

    Lunch Hour
    Disasters Expo USA

    Break in Agenda for Lunch

    

    13.30 - 14.00

    David Fernandez
    San Jose Water Company

    Emergency Water Distribution - Rapid Response, Environmental, and DEI Considerations

    

    14.15 - 14.45

    Steven Goldstein
    WXReady

    2023 Maui Wildfires and Current Wildfire Potential Outlook

    I will review the weather parameters that led to the destructive Maui wildfires last August and discuss the wildfire potential for the remainder of the remainder of this season. I will also provide a national large wildfire potential outlook for the remainder of 2024.

    

    15.00 - 15.30

    Rico A. Gross
    Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD)

    Strengthening Community Resilience: Enhancing Disaster Recovery Capabilities and Environmental Stability

    A Forward-Looking Perspective on Future Disasters and the Role of the Los Angeles Fire Department and Local Volunteers. Former Disaster Preparedness Officer (DPO). Supervises the LAFD CERT Program and serves as the department''s liaison Emergency Manager to the City’s Emergency Operations Center, collaborating seamlessly with the family of Los Angeles Departments.

Make sure to make a note of any seminars or workshops that capture your attention here! Also, make sure to get to any must-see sessions in plenty of time, otherwise you might risk not getting a seat in the audience.