National Preparedness Conference Coming in December
MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology will host several of America’s top leaders in disaster preparedness and response at a conference on Friday,
December 14, 2007. The day-long event will feature two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Maj. Gen. Michael Sumrall and Brig. Gen. Peter M. Aylward.
General Sumrall, who serves as Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon for National Guard Matters, addressing natural and manmade
disasters, said the conference was a rare opportunity to discuss a pressing issue for the nation.
“As the California wildfires last month and the hurricanes in the Gulf and Atlantic over the past few years so clearly demonstrated, the integration of
federal, state and local resources is critical to overcoming the worst that nature has to offer”, said Sumrall. “This conference will allow important
players in the public and private sectors to come together, learn from the past and plan for the future.”
General Aylward, the Deputy Director, Anti-Terrorism/Homeland Defense for the Joint Chiefs will speak on efforts to coordinate military support to civilian
authorities in times of disaster. Major General Basilica, Jr., Director of Logistics (J-4) for the National Guard Bureau will provide a presentation on the
role that the National Guard played in the days and weeks following Hurricane Katrina and how that role has changed in the intervening years. General
Sumrall, a Florida Tech alumnus, will be the luncheon speaker and provide an overview of America’s emergency preparedness and response operation.
Civilian and government speakers include Sheldon Fox, President of Defense Programs for Harris Corporation, Lou Kratz, Vice President and Managing Director
for Focused Logistics for Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Ruben Almaguer, Deputy Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Florida Tech
speakers include University College Dean Clifford Bragdon, Conference Director, and Professor Ralph Locurcio, Director of Construction for the College of
Engineering. Beside the formal presentations, a panel will discuss the future courses of action including the essential coordination of federal, state and
local resources. There will also be an interactive exhibit of homeland security and national preparedness technology by government and business.
“It is our pleasure to bring to the Space Coast this important conference of national significance,” said Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese. “A
conference of this stature will help business and government leaders throughout the nation understand the important logistics and dynamics that must play
out in the event of any disaster.”
For registration and conference information contact Nikki Hoier (321)-674-8388 or hoier-ca@fit.edu, Associate Director for Professional Development
Programs, Florida Tech. Conference registration fee for businesses is $295.00 while for local and state governments it is $150.00. More details including
Conference agenda, speaker and exhibit information can be found at http://uc.fit.edu.
