One of the essential primary elements of emergency management is an unwavering commitment to providing equal, accessible, quality service to every individual impacted by disaster – including individuals with access and functional needs (AFN).
To underscore the need to ensure considerations for individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs are addressed before, during, and after disasters; the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (CDHSEM), and New York University (NYU) are hosting a two, half-day, online National AFN Symposium that highlights forward-leaning, inclusive, innovative practices in emergency management.
Innovative work from across the nation will be showcased and specific examples of integrated COVID response operations, inclusive active shooter awareness guidance, community outreach efforts, and accessible sheltering will be highlighted.
The National AFN Symposium will bring the disability community together with emergency managers, disaster planners, and first responders from across the country in an online forum to foster an environment of trust and understanding vital to advancing the mission of access and functional needs throughout the nation.
We strive to ensure inclusive, accessible meetings that enable all individuals, including individuals in access and functional needs communities, to engage fully. American Sign Language (ASL) and CART services will be available during our symposium. To request additional accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact the organizers at OAFN@caloes.ca.gov by July 5, 2022 COB.
The National Symposium will be July 19-20, 2022 from 12:00pm – 3:00pm (Eastern). The Symposium is sponsored by the American Red Cross and Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM). There is no cost to register.
Keynote Address: L. Vance Taylor (Chief, Office of Access & Functional Needs, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
Summary: How partnerships between emergency managers and whole community stakeholders enhance planning, response, and recovery before, during, and after all disasters.
Moderator/Panel Organizer: Sadie Martinez (Access and Functional Needs Coordinator, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
Panelists Participants:
-Dawn Brantley (Acting Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency)
-Yumi Sera (Strategic Advisor, COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force
California Department of Public Health)
-Bryan Russell (Project Manager, Disability and Health Program at Florida Department of Health Disability Rights Florida)
-Herman Schaffer (Deputy Commissioner, Community Engagement Bureau, New York City Emergency Management)
Summary: Emergency managers outline the innovative, inclusive mass vaccination, PPE distribution, and public health mitigation operations being used to protect the whole community during COVID-19.
Moderator/Panel Organizer: Ron Prater (Executive Director, Big City Emergency Managers)
Panelists Participants:
-Roxann Crawford (Disability Integration Specialist Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 9)
-Grady Joseph (Assistant Director, Logistics Management, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
-Dr. Chris Rodriguez (Director, Washington, D.C., Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Secretary, Big City Emergency Managers)
-Julie Reiskin (Executive Director, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition)
Keynote Address: Jason Lagria (Acting Director, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Summary: Emergency managers, social service, and non-profits discuss the need, and practice, of establishing “general population” shelters that welcome and accommodate the whole community.
Moderator/Panel Organizer: Lewis Kraus (Co-Director, Pacific ADA Center)
Panelists Participants:
-Denise Everhart (Division Disaster Executive, Pacific Division, American Red Cross)
-Jim House (Disability Integration Manager, Washington State Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning)
-J.R. Antablian (Chief, Disaster Services Branch, California Department of Social Services)
-Rocky Vaz (Director, Office of Emergency Management, City of Dallas)
Summary: Emergency managers, law enforcement, and safety officers discuss inclusive best practices, lessons learned, and collaborative planning for inclusive active shooter awareness and response
Moderator/Panel Organizer: Anne Marie McLaughlin (Director of Emergency Management and Continuity, New York University)
Panelists Participants:
-L. Vance Taylor (Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
-Mark Sloan (Coordinator, Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Harris County, Texas & Chair of Big City Emergency Managers)
-Donald O’Keefe (Chief of Law Enforcement, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
-Aaron Carruthers (Executive Director, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities)
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