2011 EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference.
This was the website for the 2011 EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference. The content is from the site's archived pages. Archived pages also included information on the 2010, 2012, & 2013 conferences.
2011 PRESS RELEASES
Pittsburgh to Host Emergency Preparedness Conference
Release Date: 10/13/2011
Pittsburgh will host one of the largest gatherings of emergency responders, counter-terrorism specialists and other emergency-related professionals in the nation when the 2011 Emergency Preparedness & Hazmat Response Conference comes to town October 30 through November 2.
Co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security, the annual conference is expected to attract more than 700 disaster experts from across the country.
The conference offers an opportunity for emergency responders to obtain valuable training in terrorism awareness, radiation accidents, and other emergency response challenges. The conference also offers an ideal setting for local responders such as firemen, police officers, and paramedics to share new ideas and success stories on what they are doing in their communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
More than 100 exhibitors also will be displaying the latest trends of state-of-the-art emergency equipment, protection gear and technologies that are available to help emergency responders provide the best service possible.
It will be held at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, located at 600 Commonwealth Place in downtown Pittsburgh.
The 2011 U.S. EPA Region III Emergency Preparedness Conference
November 3, 2011
Emergency responders, emergency managers and fire department personnel from throughout the Mid-Atlantic descended on Pittsburgh Pennsylvania this week as the city hosted the 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III Emergency Preparedness & Hazmat Response Conference which wrapped up Wednesday. The venue for the conference was the Wyndham Grand Hotel located just across the river from Heinz Field.
The four-day conference, which was hosted by “the Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security “ consisted of tours, workshops and training sessions and is advertised as the “Nation’s Premier All-Hazards Conference for Government and Industry with Quality Education, Training, and Networking” according to conference organizers.
A majority of the conference agenda was filled with workshops and training programs where attendees heard about lessons learned from hazardous materials incidents throughout the nation as well as different response and planning methods used to address spills and chemical releases from a growing hazardous materials transportation industry.
One course titled “current trends in terrorism and explosives” was lead by the Philadelphia Police Bomb Disposal Unit. The instructor covered different bomb making concerns and a growing threat of lone-wolf events which may be inspired by international Islamic terrorist with no direct association between either. Specifically covered were events in Israel, London England, and Madrid Spain where small groups of individuals conducted coordinated attacks on mass transit targets with devastating results.
On day three of the conference, organizers held the “opening general session” which consisted of remarks from U.S. EPA officials but the keynote speaker was Eric Greitens. Greitens, who is a Navy Seal Officer and author of the New York Times Bestseller “The Heart and the Fist…The Education of a Humanitarian. The Marking of a Navy Seal” spoke on his experiences in Iraq and as a Navy Seal and how the lessons he learned can be used in every day life to cope with obstacles. Greitens donated his combat pay from a tour in Iraq to found The Mission Continues. The Mission Continues is an organization dedicated to assisting wounded soldiers who can’t return to active duty by allowing them to continue their quest for other public service opportunities here at home.
The conference ended on Wednesday with a general session where the speakers discussed the response surrounding the deadly and destructive May 22, 2011 Joplin Missouri tornado. The tornado, which claimed 159 lives destroyed St Johns Hospital and EMS personnel where at the conference to speak on their experiences from that mass care response.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III Emergency Preparedness and Hazmat Response Conference is an annual conference hosted by the U.S. EPA. Past host locations have included Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond, Virginia.
CIRCA 2011
Join us in Pittsburgh for a prime opportunity to meet and mingle with key decision makers in the emergency preparedness and prevention field. Our conference will bring you face to face with many of those often hard to reach customers. Call our Conference Hotline at (800) 364-7974 or register online to reserve your booth today.
We've planned an agenda with a broad range of audiences in mind. You'll find numerous topics and training opportunities for:
- Local emergency planning committee representatives
- Environmental, emergency and safety staff from federal facilities
- Environmental, health and safety, and operations representatives from industry
- First response personnel from fire, emergency medical, and law enforcement agencies
- State emergency response commission members
- Hazmat response teams
- Emergency managers and planners
- Regulatory compliance specialists
- Emergency medical personnel
- Medical, safety and environmental personnel from hospitals
- Maritime industry personnel
- Transportation and distribution industry personnel
- Power and utility industry staff
- Safety and environmental personnel from colleges and universities
- Counter-terrorism professionals and specialists
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If you attended, you know this was an informative conference. Living in the world of post 9/11 in New York City emergency preparedness is a hot subject for both the professionals and the rest of us New Yorkers. Another emergency disaster is always lurking in the dark recesses of my imagination having been here during 9/11 and the aftermath. I really enjoy discussing the potential for another disaster and our preparedness for it with my fellow lawyers, who have various takes on civil liberties that might have to be set aside in a terrorist attack. Former Queens Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Pred suggests that we might actually lose some of our rights in regard to free speech, free assembly, etc. if preventing an attack becomes a big enough concern. I tend to agree, but feel that we in NY are much too spoiled to permit those rights to be taken without a fight. Ben says there won't even be a fight - those rights will go away along with an edict declaring Marshall law or a directive from Homeland Security. I hope we never find out. Interestingly, Benjamin Pred has had his own battles, as he recently triggered a bout with rhabdomyolysis by overdoing a fitness routine and ended up in the hospital - Ben mentions that experience here. This personal challenge demonstrates that even those at the forefront of emergency preparedness and civil liberties discussions are not immune to the risks of pushing themselves too hard in other aspects of life.
More Background on 2011Conference.net
The 2011 EPA Emergency Preparedness and Hazmat Response Conference, held from October 30 to November 2, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a significant event in the field of emergency response and hazardous materials management. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pittsburgh Regional Business Coalition for Homeland Security, the conference attracted over 700 professionals, including emergency responders, counter-terrorism specialists, and other related experts from across the nation.
Conference Overview
The conference took place at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. It provided a platform for attendees to engage in valuable training sessions covering topics such as terrorism awareness, radiation accidents, and various emergency response challenges. Local responders, including firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, had the opportunity to share innovative ideas and success stories related to community preparedness and emergency response. Additionally, more than 100 exhibitors showcased state-of-the-art emergency equipment, protective gear, and technologies designed to enhance the capabilities of emergency responders.
Keynote Speakers and Sessions
A highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Eric Greitens, a Navy SEAL officer and author of the New York Times bestseller "The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL." Greitens shared his experiences from Iraq and his time as a Navy SEAL, offering insights into overcoming obstacles and applying lessons learned in everyday life. He also discussed his philanthropic work, including founding The Mission Continues, an organization dedicated to assisting wounded soldiers in finding public service opportunities upon returning home.
Another significant session focused on the response to the devastating Joplin, Missouri, tornado that occurred on May 22, 2011. This session featured discussions on the challenges faced during the response efforts, including the destruction of St. John's Hospital and the overall mass care response.
Training and Workshops
The conference agenda was rich with workshops and training programs addressing lessons learned from hazardous materials incidents nationwide. One notable course, titled "Current Trends in Terrorism and Explosives," was led by the Philadelphia Police Bomb Disposal Unit. This session covered various bomb-making concerns and the growing threat of lone-wolf events inspired by international terrorist activities, with references to incidents in Israel, London, and Madrid.
Cultural and Social Significance
The 2011 conference played a crucial role in strengthening the nation's emergency preparedness framework. By bringing together a wide array of professionals, the event fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing, which are essential for effective emergency response. The inclusion of sessions addressing contemporary threats, such as terrorism and natural disasters, underscored the evolving nature of emergency preparedness and the need for continuous learning and adaptation.
Press and Media Coverage
The conference garnered attention from various media outlets, highlighting its importance in the field of emergency preparedness. The EPA issued a press release on October 13, 2011, announcing Pittsburgh as the host city and emphasizing the conference's role in providing valuable training and networking opportunities for emergency responders.
Historical Context
The 2011 conference was part of a series of annual events organized by the EPA to enhance emergency preparedness and hazardous materials response. Previous conferences were held in cities like Baltimore, Maryland, and Richmond, Virginia, each contributing to the ongoing development of best practices and the dissemination of critical information among professionals in the field.
Exhibitor Showcase
An integral part of the EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference is its extensive exhibitor showcase. This component of the event brings together over 100 vendors and organizations displaying the latest in emergency response technology, personal protective equipment, communication systems, and other tools essential for effective disaster management. The exhibitor area serves as a valuable resource for attendees, allowing them to explore and evaluate new products and services that could enhance their agencies' capabilities. It also facilitates important connections between emergency management professionals and industry innovators.
Networking and Collaboration
One of the most significant benefits of the EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference is the opportunity it provides for networking and collaboration among professionals from diverse backgrounds. The event fosters an environment where attendees can share best practices, discuss common challenges, and forge partnerships that extend beyond the conference itself. Many participants have reported that the connections made at the conference have led to improved inter-agency cooperation and more effective emergency response efforts in their home communities.
Impact and Recognition
The EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference has gained recognition as one of the premier events in the field of emergency management. Its impact extends beyond the days of the conference itself, influencing policy, practice, and research in emergency preparedness across the United States. The conference has been credited with:
- Facilitating the adoption of new technologies and methodologies in emergency response
- Improving coordination between federal, state, and local agencies
- Enhancing the skills and knowledge of thousands of emergency management professionals
- Contributing to the development of more robust and effective emergency plans at all levels of government
Challenges and Adaptations
Like many large-scale events, the EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference has faced challenges in recent years, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers have had to adapt to changing circumstances, exploring virtual and hybrid formats to ensure the continuity of this vital educational and networking opportunity. These adaptations have included:
- Virtual presentations and workshops
- Online networking platforms
- Digital exhibitor showcases
- Hybrid models combining in-person and remote participation options
While these changes have presented logistical challenges, they have also opened up new possibilities for expanding the conference's reach and accessibility.
Looking to the Future
As the field of emergency management continues to evolve, so too does the EPA Emergency Preparedness Conference. Future iterations of the event are likely to focus on emerging threats and challenges, such as:
- The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters due to climate change
- Cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure
- The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in emergency response
- Public health emergencies and pandemic preparedness
- Environmental justice considerations in disaster planning and response
The conference is expected to continue playing a crucial role in shaping the future of emergency management, fostering innovation, and building a more resilient nation.
The 2011 EPA Emergency Preparedness and Hazmat Response Conference in Pittsburgh was a pivotal event that brought together a diverse group of professionals dedicated to improving emergency response and preparedness. Through comprehensive training sessions, insightful keynote addresses, and extensive networking opportunities, the conference significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge and collaboration in the field of emergency preparedness. Its impact continues to resonate, underscoring the importance of such gatherings in fostering a resilient and well-prepared society.