Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference

General Session Agenda

Awards Luncheon Agenda

2012 Training Session Selection Form

TS EM2. Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Course (L971) - day 1* - limit 25 canceled

TS EM3. Resources unit Leader (RESL) Course (L965) - day 1* - limit 25 canceled

TS EM4. Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Course (L960) - day 1 - limit 25 canceled

TS EM6. Finance/Administration Unit Leader (FAUL) Course (L975) - day 1 - limit 25

TS EM7. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (L146) - day 1* - limit 35 (1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) FULL

TS CP1. Enhanced Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) (G290) - day 1 - limit 50

TS EM1. Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) Course (L970) – day 4* - limit 25 (additional days required – see description) canceled

TS EM2. Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Course (L971) – day 4* - limit 25 (additional days required – see description) canceled

TS EM3. Resources Unit Leader (RESL) Course (L965) – day 4* - limit 25 (additional days required – see description) canceled

TS EM4. Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Course (L960) - day 4 - limit 25 canceled

TS EM9. Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning - Train-the-Trainer (G550) – day 3 - limit 50

TS ES2. E-Plan: The Online Hazardous Materials Database Providing Just in Time Information for the Frontline First Responder – limit 30

TS EM5. Intermediate Incident Command Systems (ICS) for Expanding Incidents (G300) – day 4 - limit 30

TS EM27. University Upheaval Internet-Based Tabletop Exercise

TS EM6. Finance/Administration Unit Leader (FAUL) Course (L975) – day 4 - limit 25

TS EM7. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (L146) – day 4 *-limit 35 (8:00 a.m. – Noon) FULL

TS PP3. Understanding Depth Analysis Atlases

TS EM21. Hurricane Decision Making Scenario - limit 60 FULL

TS CP1. Enhanced Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) (G290) – day 4 – limit 50

This will be an interactive session on how to identify, engage and sustain public/private partnerships. Attendees will participate in exercises that demonstrate practical approaches to engage businesses and other private sector stakeholders in ensuring more effective community recovery and disaster resiliency.

This course is an expanded version of the basic level course with added information and material. It is suitable for newer or less experienced PIOs as well as those who are at the intermediate level. The course emphasizes basic skills and knowledge needed to manage emergency public information, and it also covers how to handle more complex issues and tasks. Topics include: the role of the PIO in emergency management; news release writing; public speaking; interview techniques; social media utilization; and conducting public awareness campaigns. This is an 'elective' course in the Advanced Professional Series (APS) program. It is a prerequisite for the Advanced Public Information Officer (E388) course that is taught only at the FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

This is a comprehensive course for public information professionals, offering guidance and advice to complement their existing base of knowledge. Participants will be offered new tools and rules to reduce the risk of ineffective communication during a crisis.

Following an Introduction to Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications, course modules include:

• The Psychology of Communicating in a Crisis
• Developing a Crisis Communication Plan
• Messages and Audiences
• Communicating with Stakeholders and Partners
• Other Communication Channels

During this training, participants will learn how to incorporate social media into their organization's existing communications strategy during times of preparedness, response and recovery. Social media professionals will share lessons learned and tips for successfully using tools like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr to reach residents as they prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. Additionally, this session will explore the benefits, challenges and liabilities of using social media.

Prerequisites: IS 100, 200, 700, 800; ICS 300

Prerequisites: IS 100, 200, 700, 800; ICS 300

This course provides training on and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). This course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses.

The course objectives are as follows:

• Describe how the NIMS Command and Management component supports the management of expanding incidents.
• Describe the incident/event management process for supervisors and expanding incidents as prescribed by the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Implement the incident management process on a simulated Type 3 incident.
• Develop an Incident Action Plan for a simulated incident.

Prerequisites: IS 100, 200, 700, 800

Prerequisites: EMI IS-120.A; FEMA EMI 119-25-1

This 12-hour course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement an evacuation and re-entry plan for their jurisdictions. It uses a community's vulnerability analysis and evacuation plan. It also addresses evacuation behavior and recommends methods to make evacuation and re-entry more efficient. This course does not address the decision to evacuate or re-enter.

Selection Criteria: The persons responsible for planning, implementing, and carrying out evacuations within a jurisdiction must attend this course as a team. This includes, but is not limited to, local and state government emergency program managers, emergency planners and response personnel.

Prerequisites: IS 100, 200, 700, 800; ICS 300

This course is based on the guidance to the Federal Executive Branch departments and agencies for developing Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans and programs. COOP plans facilitate the performance of essential functions during any situation which may disrupt normal operations. This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge to improve the overall quality and workability of COOP plans.

This course provides training on and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). This course expands upon information covered in ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses. These earlier courses are prerequisites for ICS-400.

The course objectives are as follows:

• Explain how major incidents engender special management challenges.
• Describe the circumstances in which an area command is established.
• Describe the circumstances in which multi-agency coordination systems are established.

This course prepares participants to establish and sustain an active local CERT program. The course defines the core components of a local CERT program and focuses on effective practices for:

• Planning and interacting with a broad range of stakeholders
• Managing program resources
• Sustaining the program

Course topics include:

• Developing a local CERT program goals and a related strategic plan
• Promoting a local CERT program
• Orienting, managing and retaining CERT members
• Recruiting, funding, managing and retaining CERT trainers
• Acquiring and managing program resources
• Delivering and managing effective training and exercises
• Developing policies and procedures for operating a local CERT program
• Evaluating and sustaining the program

Prerequisites: Completion of G317 or IS317

This is an advanced course of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hurricane decision-making software program known as HURREVAC. The training is designed for users who want to expand their knowledge and use of more advanced components of the program. This training session will include advanced evacuation timing analysis and tools for evaluating storm surge and inland flooding potential. Students will work hands-on with HURREVAC.

Monday, May 14, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 15, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(attendance both days is required)

This two-day training symposium is tailored to those emergency management practitioners who work at institutions of higher education. The session will be a compilation of a variety of smaller topics of current issues to the higher education emergency management sector. Examples include, but are not limited to Clery Act updates, Train-the-Trainer for G-367 Emergency Planning for Campus Executives and G-402 ICS Overview for Executives, managing FEMA reimbursements, EMAP Higher Education Pilot, how to become a NWS Storm Ready University, and a case study of emergency management legal issues facing campuses.

The purpose of this training session is to introduce the skills and planning considerations that are required to manage large numbers of people who are not affiliated with an experienced relief organization, but who want to help in disasters. These helpers or spontaneous volunteers are generally well motivated and sincerely want to help but, if their efforts and resources are not coordinated effectively, they could be counterproductive, wasteful and often a strain on the disaster area.

This course aims to introduce the keys to success in managing large numbers of spontaneous volunteers in disasters. Its underlying assumption is that much of the volunteer help is indeed needed and that with basic emergency management coordination skills the volunteer resources can often be put to effective use, making a positive difference in the affected community.

This course provides an overview of issues and recommended actions necessary to plan for, respond to, and recover from a major debris generating event with emphasis on state, tribal, and local responsibilities. Developed from a pre-disaster planning perspective, the course includes debris staff organizations, compliance with laws and regulations, contracting procedures, debris management site selection, volume reduction methods, recycling, special debris situations, and supplementary assistance.

Selection Criteria: Tribal, local, and state emergency management personnel, including public works and waste management staffs, who are responsible for planning and/or implementing debris removal and disposal actions.

This session is the first of a four-part lecture training series for emergency managers, response personnel and technical staff regarding basic principles of tropical meteorology. The discussions will focus on those concepts which need to be understood to assist in applying tropical cyclone forecast information to the emergency decision-making process. This session will include a basic introduction to the atmospheric and oceanic processes of the tropics as well as an introduction to tropical cyclone terminology, climatology, structure and the methods and technologies used to detect, measure and track tropical cyclones.

This is the second of a four-part lecture training series for emergency managers, response personnel and technical staff regarding basic principles which need to be understood to assist in applying tropical cyclone forecast information to the emergency decision-making process. This session will include in-depth discussions from a meteorological standpoint of the various threats to life and property posed by tropical cyclones.

Level: Advanced

This session is the last of a four-part lecture training series for emergency managers, response personnel and technical staff regarding principles of tropical meteorology. In this session we will examine the technological and scientific changes that have taken place in the 20 years since Hurricane Andrew and their impacts on the forecast and warning process. We will also examine the critical research priorities regarding tropical cyclone forecasting through such initiatives as the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project. The latest findings in seasonal hurricane forecasting and long-term trends will also be explored.

Building upon the meteorological information presented in the Tropical Meteorology training sessions, the goal of this session is to familiarize emergency management and other decision making personnel with the real world applications of weather information during a tropical cyclone landfall event. This is an interactive exercise simulating a hurricane landfall along the Florida Coast. National Hurricane Center and local National Weather Service personnel will brief the scenario and guide participants through meteorological factors. Participants will then make very general decisions about protective measures based largely upon the weather briefings.

This basic course will provide municipal emergency managers strategies and tools to expand their response capability. The training course will provide instruction on how to build political support and to design and construct a municipal Emergency Operations Center and integrate various technological resources, including the role of social media, to support the comprehensive disaster response functions within the city.

This course will provide an overview of program enhancements to take your municipal emergency management program to the next level. Municipal emergency managers have customarily dedicated extensive efforts to the response environment. Once the disaster, however, moves into the recovery phase, many municipal programs lack understanding of the expectation and requirements to meet the long-term needs of disaster survivors and coordinate long-term community redevelopment efforts. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has recently released numerous guidance documents to support long-term recovery such as guidance for the Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan, Disaster Housing and others. This session will evaluate the impact of these long term recovery policies to municipal jurisdictions.

This tour will consist of several emergency operation centers (EOCs) in South Florida. Participants will travel by bus to visit the identified EOCs. They will have an opportunity to view large urban EOC set ups, communication equipment, information management software systems, functional break out areas and meet and talk with EOC staff. This is a great opportunity to visit and ask questions.

This session will include a tour of the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Miami. The purpose of the tour is for participants to gain a better understanding of the operations of the NHC and the local Weather Forecast Office (WFO), as well as their duties and roles during tropical cyclone situations. Transportation will be provided.

Repeat of TS EM25.

After the lights and sirens, guns and badges, and gurneys and hoses have left the scene of a major disaster or emergency at a college or university, it is the institution that is left to manage the consequences. This internet-based tabletop exercise is designed to challenge higher education emergency managers and their community partners as they work through realistic scenarios and injects. This is a great tabletop exercise experience for anyone, regardless if you have interests in higher education or not.

This course will teach students to understand and use the US National Grid (USNG) System in both emergency response as well as planning. Students will use maps, compasses and GPS as well as other simple tools that will assist students as they prepare for and respond to emergencies of all sizes.

After action reviews from nearly every large multi-jurisdictional incident have called for a common grid to ensure interoperability among responders (search & rescue, fire, EMS, LE, mass care and mutual aid). Operational implementation of the USNG spans preparedness and response operations. Use of the USNG provides a uniform platform for pre-scripted mission planning and drives situational awareness across disciplines and jurisdictions.

E-Plan is the nation's largest database of chemical and facility hazards data with almost 400,000 facilities and over 24,000 unique chemicals. It is free, simple and easy for first responders and state and federal users to use.

1. E-Plan provides Tier II reporting data and other important information instantly such as
2. Maps of the area surrounding a fixed facility showing schools and hospitals,
3. Maps of all facilities with a specified hazardous material in specific area,
4. Chemical Hazards Response Information System (CHRIS) data,
5. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS),
6. Chemical profiles,
7. Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) pages,
8. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes,
9. Facility Risk Management Plans (RMPs).
   

It has the capability for nationwide coverage in all 50 States and four U.S. territories.

This will be a hands-on training course for first responders who need to know how to quickly and effectively access the necessary data on their own laptops.

This training session is designed to give the participants the knowledge and skills needed to run a service delivery site during a disaster. The course includes lecture, table group exercises and a half-day simulation of a disaster to test the participants' knowledge of opening, maintaining and closing a service delivery site.

The purpose of this course is to prepare supervisors to lead a team of disaster workers to deliver high quality client service and to create a climate that promotes worker satisfaction. Participants will be provided with disaster relief operation tools that will support their success as a supervisor during a disaster response. The course includes a simulation exercise that builds on the information presented in the course. The simulation provides an opportunity for participants to practice key supervisory skills and use the resources provided during the course.

Shelter Management is an instructor-led, basic level course that introduces the roles, responsibilities and tasks of the shelter manager. The purpose of this course is to prepare participants to effectively operate a shelter facility that provides disaster services in a safe environment for its residents and workers. Using the Sheltering Handbook, participants will work through a case study that takes them through four of the six phases of the Sheltering Cycle: Opening, Organizing, Operating and Closing. The Sheltering Handbook provides the guidance for Red Cross shelter operations and serves as the main resource for the course. A video of Red Cross shelter managers talking about their experiences is incorporated into the course. Successful completion of this course is one step in the process of becoming a shelter manager; shelter experience and a recommendation by the chapter are additional criteria. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: explain the roles and responsibilities of a shelter manager throughout the opening, organizing, operating and closing phases of a shelter operation; develop a plan for setting up shelter space and obtaining supplies; describe the components of effectively managing shelter staff including conducting job inductions and performing job evaluations; describe how collecting and reporting information relates to the mission of the Red Cross; convey the importance of effectively communicating with clients, partners, shelter staff, disaster leadership, media and key community members; accommodate the diverse needs of clients in shelters; and collaborate with internal and external partners.

This is an entry to mid-level logistics management course that will familiarize students with the various aspects of disaster logistics. Logistics is the foundation in a disaster, and will mean the success or failure of an operation. An emphasis will be placed on pre-identified push packages for urban search and rescue, law enforcement, mass care and other missions that are established and/or contracted for pre-event.

Core elements of the course include development of a unified logistics program across all levels of government, agencies, associations and organizations, as well as building self-sufficiency, and utilization of the Logistics Capability Assessment Tool (LCAT). Modules include logistics planning, training, forecast modeling, supply chain management, determining shortfalls, establishing essential resources, conventional and contingency contracting, purchasing, logistics management systems and Time Phased Force and Deployment Lists (TPFDDL), resource types and tracking of resources. There will be discussions on the first 72-hours of an event and the balance of pre-positioning resources and strategic outsourcing.

Presentations noted below comprise a comprehensive training program to prepare trainers to deliver disaster preparedness and response education to limited English proficiency populations. Handouts (for all sessions) will be available in English and Spanish. Translators will be available for those desiring Spanish interpretation. Topics will include:

Monday Afternoon:

• "Cataloging Community Assets" - Participants will learn the techniques and technologies necessary for comprehensive community asset mapping.
• "Preparing Haitian Communities for Disaster Response" - Discussion will focus on training community leaders in preparing for a disaster in a community setting and for organizing disaster response.
  

Tuesday Morning:

• "The Community Arise Disaster Preparedness & Response Curriculum" - This segment will present the national Community Arise disaster preparedness and response training curriculum of Church World Services in a train-the-trainer format.
• "The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)" - This segment will focus on the practical steps in introducing the CERT model for limited English proficiency populations and the challenges that must be overcome.)
  

Tuesday Afternoon:

• "Communication Issues: Spoken / Written / Technological" - This will address communication challenges and solutions through use of real-life examples and discussion of best-practices.
• "NW Volusia County Case Study (Community Disaster Response Group)" – This segment will include a presentation on how a limited English proficiency, rural community in NW Volusia County formed a disaster communication network.

In times when budgets are being "down-sized" and programs being reduced or even eliminated it may be helpful to better understand the techniques associated with writing an effective grant application. This training session will provide useful grant writing information and sources of potential grants. It will also provide examples of winning grant applications and demonstrate an overview of the grant writing process. The session is designed for emergency personnel (with little or no grant writing expertise) who want to seek out and win grants for the emergency programs they manage.

With the changes in technology and in storm surge mapping, it is now possible to map predicted surge depth. The state has begun the process to complete the mapping effort. This session will discuss and explain the use of the atlases.

This is an important new training for floodplain managers and building officials including the integration of the National Flood Insurance Program construction regulations into the updated 2010 Florida Building Code; a new state model ordinance that is a "companion-to-the-Code"; and discussion about the role of the local floodplain manager and coordination with local building department responsibilities.

Continuing Education Units will be available for Florida Floodplain Managers, Building Officials and (pending) AICP professionals.

The goal of the course is to assist local stakeholders in the development of a local disaster housing strategy that meets the needs of their community while meeting the newly released regulatory requirements and ensuring coordination on all levels of government. Each of the seven modules identifies the "how-to" of developing a Disaster Housing Program for local jurisdictions and provides the basic framework for understanding each of the programmatic elements.

For most cities and counties in the US, the Elevation Certificate is the backbone of documentation needed to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program. Learn how important it is for the surveyor to accurately fill in all blanks on the Elevation Certificate, what items are commonly missed and misconceptions about how to fill out the form.

Continuing Education Units will be available for Florida Floodplain Managers, Building Officials and (pending) AICP professionals.

This training session will provide an introduction to Post- Disaster Redevelopment Planning (PDRP), which assists communities in rebuilding holistically and more resiliently after a disaster. The session will briefly describe the planning process and topics, along with tips and resources for local governments to help them get started.

This training session will help communities take their Post- Disaster Redevelopment Planning (PDRP) to the next level. The session is focused on plan implementation. Discussion will include policy tools, plan integration, case studies and much more.

WS HS108. Mass Care Services As A Core Capability In The National Preparedness Goal

WS HS104. Non-profit Lessons Learned From Hurricane Irene And Tropical Storm Lee

WS BI 101.    Private Sector Coordination during Disasters – Emergency Support Function 18 at the State Level – Organized by John Cherry

Over the past year, emergency management programs at the federal, state and local levels have begun to focus more on coordinating with the private sector before, during and after a disaster.  Viewing the private sector as a resource and working to integrate them into the emergency management information flow is vital to ensuring businesses survive a disaster and also to ensure the community tax base and employment base stabilize as quickly as possible after a disaster.  In Florida this integration has been spearheaded by the Division of Emergency Management with the creation of a dedicated position for private sector coordination.  This coordination is most important when Emergency Support Function 18 (Business and Industry) is activated in the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.  This workshop will share with you how the state’s ESF 18 team will handle disaster situations and working with the private sector as the threat of a disaster reaches its peak and then how they will assist the private sector in recovering.

This workshop will focus on the “boots on the ground” perspective from businesses in diverse industry sectors. It will cover how they engage employees in their emergency procedures and business continuity operations. The business contingency managers will also share why and how they engage with local and state emergency management to coordinate their continuity and contingency planning.

WS CP101.    There’s an App for That:  Emergency Management Apps and Resources for You and the Public – Organized by Beth Boyd

Organizations like the American Red Cross, FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have developed smart phone applications to keep the public informed before, during and after disasters. During this workshop, presenters will discuss smart phone applications and websites available to Florida residents, the media and you.

WS CP102.    Effectively Communicating Forecast Information:  An Emergency Management Perspective – Organized by Steve Letro

This workshop will present and discuss the results of a recent Internet survey completed by coastal emergency managers related to how they receive, use and assess National Weather Service hurricane forecast products. Opinions from the survey regarding the long term goals of the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program will also be presented.

WS CP103.    Is the Hurricane Coming?  Conveying Meteorological Uncertainty to the Public – Organized by Rob Molleda

This workshop will discuss the challenges of conveying highly uncertain and technical meteorological information to the public during a tropical cyclone threat. Delivery, interpretation and understanding of the threat will be covered, as well as tools and techniques that can be used by National Weather Service, media and emergency managers to properly and efficiently deliver hazard information to the general public.

WS CP104.    Great Hurricane Blowout:  From Social Media to Grassroots – Organized by Trenise Lyons

In its third year, The Great Hurricane Blowout presented by FLASH will highlight new tools that will allow local emergency managers, educators, volunteers and others to easily conduct hurricane preparedness activities in their local community. Learn about new initiatives for 2012 that seek to conquer once and for all the biggest hurricane preparedness myth!

WS CP105.    Effective Use of Mass Notification Systems – Organized by John Cherry CANCELLED

With the numerous disasters occurring all over the United States during 2011 and with the increasing complexity and capabilities of technology mass notification systems have begun to flood the market as a solution to get people information regarding impending severe weather and disasters in a more timely manner.  This workshop will focus on these mass notification systems and the good and bad things about them, as well as how they can be used most effectively.  In depth findings from research will be presented along with demonstrations of some of the most commonly used systems by federal, state and local officials.

WS CP106.    Geospatial Collaboration - Creating Interactive Tools and Maps for the Non-GIS User with a GeoPDF – Organized by William Booher

This is an entry to mid-level course for the non GIS user on how to develop maps and tools using specialized programs that are user friendly.  The goal of the course is to enable non-GIS users to effectively create maps and tools using GeoPDF from data sets that are relevant to real world scenarios.  This course will expand the number of personnel that can create basic mapping tools for use during incidents.

WS CP107.    Emergency Messaging:  Notification and Information Tools during Disasters – Organized by Don Hermey and Paul Winter

Join us for an open discussion about the new Cellular Mobile Alert Systems (CMAS) at both the Federal and State Levels. Learn about options available to allow you to leverage text messaging before, during and after disasters. Get the latest information on our State of Florida EAS System and learn how the National Communications System, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and 511 can help you keep both your responders and general public informed.

WS  CP108.    Social Media Before, during and After a Disaster – Organized by Tom Iovino

In times of disaster, social media can be your best friend – or your worst enemy.  Learn about some of the common social media pitfalls, how to use it for maximum effect and see real-life applications of this powerful communication tool.

WS EM101.    The Hurricane is Coming – Where it Will Flood – Organized by Doug Bass

Flooding is one of the most significant dangers associated with hurricanes.  It is important for emergency managers, water managers, public works personnel and others involved in hurricane response to be able to anticipate “where it will flood”.  The workshop will provide a look at systems designed to translate NEXRAD radar and local rain gauge networks into flood prediction information.  Examples from the City of Austin Flood Early Warning System, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer District and the South Florida Water Management District will be presented.  

WS EM102.    Inland Hurricane Hazards – Organized by Dan Noah

The Regional Evacuation Studies completed in 2010 provided new data for state and local emergency management and growth management agencies in the State of Florida. This workshop will focus on how areas are incorporating the data in decision-making, the TIME module and addressing major concerns and challenges. Discussion will also spotlight training needed and what we can do next time to make the studies better in the future. This workshop focuses on the Withlacoochee Region, Tampa Bay Region, Central Florida Region, and Southwest Florida Region.

WS EM103a.    History of Emergency Management in Florida – Organized by Guy Daines and Brian Misner

Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.  This session brings together long-standing members of the emergency management community together for an overview of past-day emergency management in Florida with an emphasis on high-profile disasters that have impacted the state. Participants will benefit from first-hand accounts of lessons learned that will help them understand Florida’s approach to emergency management.  While this session is open to everyone, out-of state participants will have a stronger basis for returning these lessons learned to their communities and students will be better-prepared for emergency management careers in the state.

WS EM103b.    History of Emergency Management in Florida – Organized by Guy Daines and Brian Misner

This is not a repeat of WS EM103a but a continuation.

WS EM104.    Local Use of Tropical Cyclone Wind Probability Products – Organized by Al Sandrik

The National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Cyclone Wind Probability products will be detailed and suggestions will be presented to illustrate how emergency preparedness organizations, communities, businesses, and non-governmental organizations can utilize these new products to enhance their readiness. The proper use of these products will represent a paradigm shift in how we develop and implement our tropical cyclone/hurricane preparedness planning.

WS EM105.    Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Prediction and the Forecast for 2012 – Organized by Richard Smith

Drs. Gray and Klotzbach will discuss the methodology behind Colorado State University's seasonal hurricane predictions.  The latest forecast for 2012 will be presented, including landfall probabilities for the United States and the Caribbean.  New forecast innovations will be described, such as shorter-period forecasts for the Atlantic basin.  The causes of observed multi-decadal variability in Atlantic basin hurricane activity will also be examined.

WS EM106.    FEPA Certification Workshop:  Preparing a Successful Application – Organized by Paul Winter

This workshop is designed to provide information and assistance to persons who are interested in obtaining certification as a Professional or Associate Emergency Manger as defined by FEPA. Instructions for completing a successful application as well as on-site mentoring by members of the FEPA Certification Commission will be offered.

WS EM107.    Local Storm Surge Considerations – Organized by Al Sandrik

This workshop will cover local factors which impact storm surge values such as coastal shape, bathymetry, bays, estuary systems and inlets.  The session will cover storm surge theory on a local level as well as recent events where Florida coastal features have significantly impacted by storm surge. The workshop will conclude with an update on the SLOSH storm surge model update for the state.

WS EM108.     FEPA/DEM Instructor Recognition Program – Organized by Doug Bass

This workshop provides the participant with information on the FEPA/DEM Instructor Recognition Program.  This is a joint program that recognizes certified instructors who teach or plan to teach in the field of emergency management.  Participants will receive a program briefing and have an opportunity to ask questions concerning the program requirements.  Samples of completed/approved instructor packets will be available for inspection during the workshop.  If you are interested in this program you should plan to attend.

WS EM109.    Title 10/Title 32 Dual Status Command Overview – Organized by Captain Butler Strain

The purpose of this workshop is to provide and overview of the terms, responsibilities and procedures governing the use of a Dual-Status Commander.  The workshop will outline the process for establishment of a Dual-Status Commander when the Governor of Florida and the Secretary of Defense or their designees mutually agree that such establishment is necessary and proper.

WS EM110.    Making the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) Work for You – Organized by Will Booher

Since Hurricane Katrina, the largest mutual aid operation to take place in United States history, EMAC has had an increasing role in the response and recovery of states following disaster.  This workshop will be a panel discussion where experts discuss what worked and didn’t work in requesting assistance and providing assistance and expertise through EMAC.  Panelists will talk about lessons learned and help hints for using and participating in disasters through EMAC.  

WS EM111.    Decision Support Services Offered by your Local National Weather Service – Organized by Dan Noah

Advancements in technology have led to new products and services from your local NWS office.  Tropical and hazardous weather Webinars allow the NWS to communicate the impact of storms visually. Other services include NWSchat, on-site weather support, storm surveys, and specialized projects.  Relationships and communication are vital when a weather disaster strikes.  Your NWS provides the hazardous weather information that enable decision makers to make optimal choices about how best to protect life and property in your county.  Specifically, this workshop will discuss the new Storm Damage Assessment tool that allows you to watch NWS storm surveys in real-time, updates on two different NWS sponsored virtual EOC projects and finally we’ll look at an innovated partnership between NWS Key West and Monroe County Emergency Management to communicate tropical threat to the Keys.

WS EM112.    Student Presentations – Brian Misner

This workshop will feature selected research presentations from students in emergency and disaster management-related academic courses or programs.  A panel discussion with key emergency management stakeholders on the students’ research will follow their presentations. Scheduled presentations include:  The Diffusion of Social Media: The Evolution of the Communication Social System in Emergency Management Departments; The Determinants of Business Preparedness for Disasters - Evidence from Hurricane Andrew in 1992; The Function, System, and Assessment of Emergency Preparedness; and Cyber Terrorism: The Emerging Threat.  All student scholarship recipients should plan to attend this session.

This workshop will examine past storms affecting different portions of the state, with emphasis on their tracks and ultimate effects.  These past storms will also be illustrated as an educational tool which can be used to better prepare ourselves for future storms.  The workshop will also examine comparisons between past storms of similar track and magnitude, as well as a detailed look at potential effects and impacts if these storms were to occur today.

WS EM114.    WebEOC® User's Group – Organized by Bill Johnson

The number of county and municipal jurisdictions using WebEOC® as an incident management system in the State of Florida had grown rapidly over the last few years.  In fact, several Florida regions are using WebEOC® as a regional collaboration tool.  Each system can be customized and elements of the system can be shared with other jurisdictions.  Aside from discussing new features and capabilities of WebEOC®, this workshop will serve as a forum to encourage discussion among WebEOC® users to provide useful tips, tricks, and operational boards.  The emphasis of this workshop will be to actively share best practices among the participants in an effort to foster inter-county and regional communication and collaboration.  It is recommended that workshop participants have a basic working knowledge of WebEOC®.

WS EM115.    2011 Hurricane Forecast Challenges:  Irene and ????  – Organized by Steve Letro

Hurricane Irene was the major storm impacting the United States in 2011. According to some sources, the storm was badly over-hyped and did not live up to its billing. Was the storm actually weaker than it was advertised, and did millions of people make needless precautions? In addition, an unnamed weather system in October brought strong winds to the Florida coastline yet was not identified as a tropical cyclone. This workshop will examine the various preparedness, forecast and warning issues that systems like these can create, and how to best deal with and prepare for them.

WS EM116.    Evacuation Decision Making:  Changing the Model – Organized by John Wilson

The Storm Surge Unit of the National Hurricane Center undertook the task of updating the SLOSH models and revising the basins for Florida, incorporating new LiDAR elevation data.  For Emergency Management, the new Storm Surge Maps for Florida affect everything “hurricane,”  including our business model, timing, communication of the message, how and when we order evacuations, and thus requires the question of “Why do we evacuate people?” to be reconsidered.  The workshop presents the initial results of what Lee County Emergency Management undertook to evaluate their “traditional” business model, working with the National Hurricane Center Storm Surge Unit, and the National Weather Service – Ruskin.

WS EM117.    Hurricane Irene's Impact on Higher Education – Organized by Dave Bujak

In 2011Hurricane Irene took a path that challenged a part of the country that had not seen a serious hurricane threat in decades.  Hundreds of colleges and universities up and down the northeast coast scrambled to prepare for the storm.  In the end, some were impacted more than others and some were impacted in locations and ways they did not expect.  For the most part, Irene’s legacy is the extensive flooding throughout New England and other locations well away from the coast.  This workshop will take a look at the individual experiences of institutions from North Carolina to Maine and points in between.  The focus will be on reviewing the lessons learned and discuss recommendations on ways to improve for the next storm.  Collectively, by sharing each other’s experiences, we hope to better prepare all institutions that are vulnerable to hurricane hazards, especially inland flooding.

WS EM118.    Scenario-Based Evacuation Decision Making – Organized by Betti Johnson

With the changes in technology, and advances in predictive capabilities, hurricane evacuation decision-makers are not tied to making decisions that include persons outside vulnerability zones to account for the margin of error.  This session will talk about what tools are needed and how scenario-based decisions can reduce over-evacuation.

Each year responders are injured, sometimes critically, while responding to roadway/roadside incidents or responding into disaster areas. This workshop will address basic safety precautions for all responders when working on or close to transportation corridors during response operations this can include logistical staging areas, base camps and the impacted areas. We will discuss personal safety equipment, vehicle safety and incident scene safety procedures that when followed can lessen a responders chances of being injured.

WS ES101.    Jail and Prison Evacuations:  Where to and How? - Organized by Dean Kelly

It’s happened before and is likely to happen again:  Evacuation of a jail or prison prior to a disaster and/or dealing with the aftermath.  There are approximately 207 jails and correctional facilities dotting the State of Florida and all are potentially in the path of a storm or ripe for some other type of disaster.  Where are you going to move the inmates?  How are you going to move the inmates?  How will you deal with staffing issues?  Who pays the associated costs?  Who has liability?  Subject matter experts will discuss the answers to these questions and more, as well as sharing real life experiences.

WS ES102.    Student Roundtable – Organized by Brian Misner

The purpose of this roundtable is to allow students to share best practices for engaging their peers in emergency services-related student organizations on campus and engaging campus communities in emergency preparedness.  This includes, but is not limited to: Campus CERT teams, Emergency Medical Response units, Red Cross clubs, and International Association of Emergency Managers and American Meteorological Society Student Chapters.

WS ES103.    Cops and Disasters:  How does it Work? – Organized by Dean Kelly

Today’s law enforcement (ESF-16) plays a crucial role in safety and security during natural or manmade incidents or events. The goal of the response effort is to minimize or reduce the loss of life, property damage and environmental impact. The coordinated responses of law enforcement resources from state and local agencies can be overwhelming and easily become disorganized if you are not prepared. Tracking and coordinating resources that are mission specific is crucial for success and FEMA reimbursement. So from boots on the ground to K-9s, boats, four-wheel drive vehicles, aircraft and more, how are they coordinated and who is ultimately responsible for overseeing the law enforcement mission?  Subject matter experts will provide a behind- the-scenes look at law enforcement response operations.

WS ES104.    Getting Out:  One Way Traffic Flow – Organized by Ashley Davis

Dependent upon the type of emergency, it may become necessary to evacuate at risk populations.  In the event a mass evacuation is ordered, selected high traffic roadways will be converted to one way traffic flow, coordinated by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).  Implementation of this plan requires numerous agencies to work well together and to have a working knowledge of the plan.  FHP and FDOT representatives will provide an overview of the plan and its potential impact on millions of Florida’s residents and visitors.

WS ES105.    Responder Safety - Don't Become a Victim – Organized by John Lanham

Each year responders are injured along roadways, sometimes critically, when responding to disasters. This workshop will address basic safety precautions for all responders who are working on or close to transportation corridors, at logistical staging areas and base camps, and within impacted areas. Discussion will include personal safety equipment, vehicle safety and incident scene safety procedures that, when followed, can lessen a responders chances of being injured.

WS ES106.    Introduction to the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association (FFCA) Statewide Emergency Response Plan (SERP) – Organized by TJ Lyon

Members of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association Emergency Response Committee will discuss the different components of the Statewide Emergency Response Plan (SERP) and how it is used for the deployment of resources controlled through the States’ ESF 4 & 9 desk. Discussions will include the contents and structure of the plan, the plans history, how fire agencies can become involved in supporting the plan and the importance of the partnerships that have been developed. Audience participation will be encouraged.

WS HS101.    Pre & Post Disaster Family Reunification and Tracking – Organized by Don Hermey

This workshop will present and discuss low cost real world capabilities to creatively track shelter survivors and support family reunification.  Red Cross will outline their “Safe & Well” website. Manatee County Health Department using a State Department of Health purchased software have developed a practice which enables the immediate online tracking of 100% of the clients under their direct care before, during and post disaster sheltering.  The software also provides local hospital capabilities in responding to daily and MCI patient loading arriving at the hospital location with bed and associated service indicators live time. The client tracking, for100% of the clients has been enabled through creative use of existing hardware, firmware, and software (existing and new) at little or no cost to the local health department.

WS HS102.    Using Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) Best Practices in Emergency Planning for Persons with Disabilities – Organized by Bill Johnson

FNSS has taken a front row seat in terms of priority for emergency planners and shelter managers since FEMA released the Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters in November, 2010.  This presentation will focus on hearing and visual disabilities, the various methods of establishing effective communication, and FNSS planning best practices specific to hearing and visual disabilities.  This workshop will also include outreach how-to’s for working with the deaf/hard-of-hearing and visually impaired consumer groups, as well as CERT.  Finally, the speakers will address leveraging assistive technologies and services.

WS HS103.    Social Vulnerability and Disaster Preparedness – Organized by Betti Johnson

This workshop will focus on identifying and understanding socioeconomic contributing factors and how they will impact your emergency plans and communicating preparedness. Traditional outreach tools can reach a large number of residents when a disaster happens.  But, what about those populations due to age, disability, economic status or language barriers who can’t get the information through these means? Learn how agencies are reaching out to the most vulnerable to get the right information to them in a timely and effective manner.

WS HS104.    Non-profit Lessons Learned from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee – Organized by Katie Sherk

Various non-profit representatives will discuss lessons learned during Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Further discussion will include ways emergency management can benefit from partnering with non-profits before and after a disaster response, specific lessons learned from these responses and how they can be applied to current planning for hurricane season.

WS HS105.    Partnering to Meet Community Needs:  Before, during and After the Storm – Organized by Beth Boyd

Disasters affect people from all walks of life and create a variety of needs for affected individuals and families as well as challenges for those providing disaster relief assistance and case management to disaster survivors. This session will discuss ways to identify, develop and implement partnerships with groups to ensure their constituents are engaged in the community’s efforts to prevent, prepare and recover from disasters.

WS HS106.    American Red Cross Roundtable:  Emerging Topics in Mass Care – Organized by Beth Boyd

Panelists will engage participants in a discussion about the emerging topics in mass care such as the National Mass Care Strategy, the Application Process for Exception to ARC 4496: Hurricane Evacuation Shelters, the National Shelter System and others. Panelists will lead discussions about how Mass Care activities have been improved based on lessons learned from the 2011 Hurricane Season.

WS HS107.    My Kingdom for a Horse … Doctor – Organized by John Wilson

Veterinarians and agriculture professionals are an under-recognized resource during disaster response/recovery.  This workshop will cover how these resources are identified and effectively engaged by community leaders.  These resources can contribute significantly to effective response and recovery outcomes.

WS HS108.    Mass Care Services as a Core Capability in the National Preparedness Goal – Organized by Katie Sherk

The national mass care community is in the midst of a discussion on defining mass care capability. A capability consists of the combination of elements required to deliver the desired outcome. One speaker will present the State of Florida Mass Care and Emergency Assistance Capability Level Guide, a document adopted by the state in 2011. At the national level FEMA is working with partners to define targets for Mass Care Services as a Core Capability of the National Preparedness Goal. A speaker will present the latest developments in this endeavor.

WS HS109.    Finding the Right Fit:  How to Identify the Right Volunteer for Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) – Organized by Katie Sherk

Presenters in this workshop will identify the characteristics needed for Human Resource Agencies in the county and state EOCs. Attendees will hear from local and state level emergency management and non profit agencies on what their expectations are with liaisons in the EOCs. Best practices, recruitment and training resources available for non-profit/human service agencies will be discussed.

WS HS110.    Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) Fundamentals – Organized by Bill Johnson

FNSS has taken a front row seat in terms of priority for emergency planners and shelter managers since FEMA released the Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters in November, 2010.  This workshop will present the State disability coordinator who will provide an FNSS update.  An analysis of the statewide Resource Subcommittee’s FNSS Gap Analysis Report will be presented.  Sheltering subject matter experts will provide an overview of statewide efforts toward meeting FNSS guidelines.  And finally, speakers will present various challenges and successes of integrating FNSS into your general population sheltering plan.

WS HS111.    Disaster Case Management:  Empowering Survivors in a Community near You! – Organized by Beth Boyd

This workshop will be a facilitated discussion to compare notes on hurricane evacuation and sheltering practices at colleges and universities throughout the United States.  Do institutions evacuate their residence halls?  Do they shelter-in-place? Do they establish congregate shelters for students, faculty, staff, and families on campus? Do they host public shelters for the general community on campus?  Do they host special needs shelters?  How will the new FNSS guidelines affect things? How are these activities managed using university and community resources?

WS HS112.    Higher Education Hurricane Evacuation and Sheltering – Organized by Dave Bujak

This workshop will be a facilitated discussion to compare notes on hurricane evacuation and sheltering practices at colleges and universities throughout the United States.  Do institutions evacuate their residence halls?  Do they shelter-in-place? Do they establish congregate shelters for students, faculty, staff, and families on campus? Do they host public shelters for the general community on campus?  Do they host special needs shelters?  How will the new FNSS guidelines affect things? How are these activities managed using university and community resources?

WS HS113.     Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) Roundtable – Organized by Bill Johnson

FNSS has taken a front row seat in terms of priority for emergency planners and shelter managers since FEMA released the Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters in November, 2010.  This roundtable will provide a forum for various federal and state experts to discuss the current issues, latest developments, and best practices in FNSS integration in general population shelters.  The informal structure of this roundtable is intended to allow the speakers and participants to interact and to share their ideas and perspectives.

WS HS114.    Latest Developments in Resource Typing for Mass Care – Organized by Katie Sherk

This workshop presents the latest developments in resource typing by the National Incident Management System Mass Care Working Group. The Working Group consists of federal, state, local, nonprofit and private sector experts in mass care and emergency assistance. The Group has drafted for FEMA approval typing documents for field kitchens, mobile kitchens, and food service delivery units, as well as shelter facility and staffing aids and distribution of relief supplies. The presentation discusses how resource typing can be employed by federal, state, local and nonprofit mass care practitioners.

WS LR101.    How Water Managers Work Together with Emergency Managers during Times of Emergency – Organized by Doug Bass

FlaWARN is the formalized system of “utilities helping utilities” during emergencies.  The project’s infrastructure consists of a secure web-based data bank of available resources through an existing mutual aid agreement.  FlaWARN works by matching personnel with the necessary tools and equipment to both assess and assist the impacted water and waste water systems as quick as possible.  Speakers will be available from FlaWARN partner’s agencies to discuss the program and answer questions.  

WS LR102.    What Fuel Means in a Hurricane – Organized by Harold Joyner

Delays and disruption of fuel supplies following a hurricane poses logistical problems due to the complex process. The Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (FPMA) will provide a presentation on the impact of a hurricane on fuel supply from the terminal to the retailer, to include what impact generators will have on supply as well as transportation of fuel.

The Florida Petroleum Council (FPC) will provide a presentation on the normal distribution of oil, gasoline, diesel, and natural gas from offshore platforms, through refineries, through barges, to Florida port terminals.  Further, the FPC will describe impacts of hurricanes throughout the distribution system and provide suggestions and experience that have proven to mitigate those impacts.

WS PP101.    Donated Resources Impact Your Disaster’s “Bottom Line” – Organized by Merrilee White

Discussion will include an overview of FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9525.2 Donated Resources and “in the weeds” discussion of eligible work, volunteer service rates and the value of donated equipment and materials.  With a little planning, the right relationships and Memorandums of Understanding for the management of spontaneous volunteers, the tens of thousands of hours served by volunteer on eligible work can have a huge positive impact on your disaster’s “bottom line.”  

WS PP102a.    Higher Education Emergency Management Practitioners Roundtable – Organized by Dave Bujak

Each year, emergency management practitioners at institutions of higher education use this opportunity to gather together and openly discuss issues of interest or concern to them.  Due to the overwhelming popularity and success of this workshop in previous years, we have expanded it to be a double-workshop.  This will give us three solid hours to make sure everyone’s thoughts are heard thoroughly.  Please come to the table and be prepared to participate. Bring a list of topics that you would like to discuss and actively engage in others’ topics.  

WS PP102b.    Higher Education Emergency Management Practitioners Roundtable – Organized by Dave Bujak

This is not a repeat of WS PP102a but a continuation.

WS PP103.    Preparing Limited English Proficiency Populations – Organized by Merrilee White

An expert panel will present lessons learned and best practices on preparing limited English proficiency populations for disasters. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying the unique challenges of meeting the needs of these populations. The panel will provide a summary review of the wide variety of culturally sensitive materials, curricula and training available.  The training delivered on Monday and Tuesday (TS PP1) will be reviewed and comments solicited for improvement of the training for future presentations.

WS PP104.    Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) Grants:  A “Whole Community” Resource for Preparing Individuals and Neighborhoods – Organized by Merrilee White

NEPP Grants are available to help organize and educate communities to increase their level of preparedness for all hazards. The project is designed to engage and mobilize small neighborhood teams to foster self-sufficiency at the local level. NEPP utilizes personal and community empowerment strategies to keep thousands of automobiles and residents off the roads and out of the "worried well" surge on limited medical resources. NEPP utilizes a four-step strategy in accomplishing this mission through education, planning, preparedness, and building capacity for distributing essential supplies and/or medications.

WS RM101.    Masters’ Roundtable:  Lessons from the Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning Process – Organized by Betti Johnson

This roundtable will enable communities who have completed Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plans to have an interactive discussion regarding lessons learned and next steps.  Communities beginning their planning process can have a bird’s eye view as veterans discuss what worked and what didn’t.

WS RM102.    Disaster Housing:  Strategies, Guidance and Tools – Organized by Betti Johnson

This workshop will present an overview of the State Disaster Housing Planning Initiative: the new State Disaster Housing Strategy, Local Disaster Housing Strategy Template and both the online and classroom-based curriculums.  The State Disaster Housing Strategy provides the planning assumptions and procedures for the implementation of the disaster housing mission in the state of Florida following a major disaster. The template and training curriculum were developed to provide local stakeholders a basic understanding of the disaster housing program components and guidance on key elements implemented at the local level.  

WS RM103.     Characterizing Human Perception of Wind and Water Hazards – Organized by Trenise Lyons

This research will characterize human perception of wind speed intensity, rainfall rates, wind-driven rain intensity and water current velocity.  The results of this research will be shared along with the path forward for developing behavior change based on these results.

WS RM104.    Current Trends in Mitigation of Essential Facilities – Organized by Harold Joyner

The most significant changes to the Florida Building Code that became effective in March 2012 were those dealing with wind design in accordance with the new American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) pamphlet 7. The new standard creates a new wind map for the state and generally reduces design pressure across the entire state from 0 to 31 percent.  This workshop will address the new wind load standard and large missile impact requirements for essential facilities, highlight wind retrofit trends, storm surge and best practices. The workshop will also update the participant with the Storm Shelter Requirements from FEMA (FEMA 361) and the National Storm Shelter Association/International Code Council Standard, ICC-500.

WS RM105.    Enhancing the LMS:  Using Innovative Techniques to Implement Mitigation and Increase Resiliency – Organized by Bill Johnson

Broward County is developing an enhanced mitigation plan to expand mitigation opportunities both in disaster recovery and in county funding used for retrofitting existing facilities and construction of new ones.  This project includes identification and screening tools, and comprehensively integrating mitigation into recovery and other community processes through its enhanced LMS grant.  The focus of the enhanced components of the LMS is identifying and implementing superior mitigation projects countywide. These actions should result in a safer, more resilient community. The FEMA perspective on multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plans will be presented. The statewide effort to integrate Flood management into the Local Mitigation Strategy will also be explained.