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EKU Justice & Safety Center sponsors 9th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference

San Francisco, November 6-8, 2007. Eastern Kentucky University’s Justice & Safety Center (JSC) was one of the sponsors of the 9th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Exposition, held in San Francisco this year. The conference was presented by the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD).

JSC Executive Director Dr. Pam Collins moderated a session on the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) and Mr. Ryan Baggett, Acting Director, opened the session with a discussion on NIMS Forecast for 2008. Mr. Baggett shared information on the new National Response Framework (NRF), and how changes in the NRF will impact the response community. He also spoke on ways to assess and measure NIMS implementation. Dan Hawkins, a member of the NIMS Standards Technical Working Group, and Mark Claveloux, Training Administrator for Delaware Emergency Management Agency presented on standards and product evaluation, as well as tools that have been developed for NIMS.

Other JSC staff shared a booth with DHS FirstResponder.Gov, , and introduced the DHS TechSolutions program, which is was developed to provide information, resources and technology solutions that address mission capability gaps identified by the emergency response community. Ms. Jaime Moore, Resource Analyst at JSC, also demonstrated some of the new technology developed, including an ocular scan that detects exposure to toxic chemicals, and a slim-lined breathing apparatus (SCBA gear) that is more compact and light-weight than its predecessors. JSC staff also presented the work of the NIMS Support Center (NIMS SC), including the IRIS (Incident Resource Inventory System) which manages resources for community preparedness, and Virtual Model Community (VMC).

The Conference provides DOJ, DHS and DoD the opportunity to highlight the technology and training tools currently available and being developed for the responder community and to elicit responder technology requirements. The conference provided a forum for responders to discuss best practices and exchange information. Over 1500 attendees viewed more than 150 different exhibits during the three-day conference, which brought together key leaders and decision makers – offering responders, business and industry, academia, and Federal, State, tribal and local stakeholders a unique forum to network, exchange ideas, and collaboratively address critical incident technology and preparedness needs, protocols, and solutions.

Break-Out sessions during the conference included topics such as the National Bombing Prevention Program, Fusion Centers and How Business Practice Drives Technology, Simulation Training for State and Locals, Responding to Mass Disasters, and seminars on Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

For more information, contact Jo Brosius, Director of Communications, jo.brosius@eku.edu or visit the conference web site at www.ctc.org