This online event will highlight forward-leaning, inclusive, and innovative practices in emergency management.

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National Access and Functional Needs Symposium

When: Tuesday & Wednesday, July 19th & 20th, 2022 | 12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. ET
Where: Zoom Virtual Platform
National AFN Symposium - Register now!

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.

The National Symposium will be held virtually on July 19 & 20, 2022 from 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. (EDT). The Symposium is sponsored by the American Red Cross and Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM). There is no cost to register.

Sessions & Speakers

Tuesday, July 19th, Day 1

10:00 A.M. - Opening / Welcome

L. Vance Taylor - (Chief, Office of Access & Functional Needs, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)

10:10 A.M. - Keynote Address

L. Vance Taylor

10:30 A.M. - Panel I: Outreach, Partnership & Engagement - The Trifecta of Inclusive Planning

How partnerships between emergency managers and whole community stakeholders enhance planning, response, and recovery before, during, and after all disasters.

Sadie Martinez - Moderator / Panel Organizer - (Access and Functional Needs Coordinator, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
Dawn Brantley - Panelist - (Acting Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency)
Yumi Sera - Panelist - (Strategic Advisor, COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, California Department of Public Health)
Bryan Russell - Panelist - (Project Manager, Disability and Health Program at Florida Department of Health Disability Rights Florida)
Herman Schaffer - Panelist - (Assistant Commissioner, Community Outreach, New York City Emergency Management)

11:40 A.M. - Panel II: Protecting the Whole Community During a Global Pandemic

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.

Ron Prater - Moderator / Panel Organizer - (Executive Director, Big City Emergency Managers)
Grady Joseph - Panelist - (Assistant Director, Logistics Management, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
Julie Reiskin - Panelist - (Executive Director, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition)
Dr. Chris Rodriguez - Panelist - (Director, Washington, D.C., Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency)
Eve Salstrom - Panelist - (Disability Integration Advisor, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, Federal Emergency Management Agency)

12:50 P.M. - Conclude

L. Vance Taylor

Wednesday, July 20th, Day 2

10:00 A.M. - Opening / Welcome

L. Vance Taylor - (Chief, Office of Access & Functional Needs, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)

10:05 A.M. - Keynote Address

Jason Lagria - (Acting Director, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, Federal Emergency Management Agency)

10:25 A.M. - Panel III: Inclusive Sheltering Operations - Integrating the Whole Community

Emergency managers, social service, and non-profits discuss the need, and practice, of establishing “general population” shelters that welcome and accommodate the whole community.

Lewis Krauss - Moderator / Panel Organizer - (Co-Director, Pacific ADA Center)
J.R. Antablian - Panelist - (Chief, Disaster Services Branch, California Department of Social Services)
Denise Everhart - Panelist - (Division Disaster Executive, Pacific Division, American Red Cross)
Jim House - Panelist - (Disability Integration Manager, Washington State Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning)
Rocky Vaz - Panelist - (Director, Office of Emergency Management, City of Dallas)

11:35 A.M. - Panel IV: Active Shooter Awareness - An Inclusive Path to Promoting Safety in an Active Shooter Environment

Emergency managers, law enforcement, and safety officers discuss inclusive best practices, lessons learned, and collaborative planning for inclusive active shooter awareness and response.

Anne Marie McLaughlin - Moderator / Panel Organizer - (Director of Emergency Management and Continuity, New York University)
Aaron Carruthers - Panelist - (Executive Director, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities)
Donald O'Keefe - Panelist - (Chief of Law Enforcement, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
Mark Sloan - Panelist - (Coordinator, Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Harris County, Texas & Chair of Big City Emergency Managers)
L. Vance Taylor - Panelist

12:45 A.M. - Concluding Discussion

L. Vance Taylor

*Some details may be subject to change*

Sign Up

Click here to register!

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 xxxxxx@caloes.ca.gov by July 5, 2022 Close Of Business.

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Our mailing address is:

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
9195 E Mineral Ave
Centennial, CO 80112-3549

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