On the Path of Emergency Preparedness

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On the Path of Emergency Preparedness

Where we’ve been---Where we are---Where we need to go
A Connecticut Community Care, Inc. Myra Kerr Memorial Education Conference

 When:   Thursday, June 10, 2010

Where:   Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa

Registration Cost:  $50 per person

Presenting Sponsor:  The Hartford

Agenda:        8:00am--9:00am         Registration
                        9:00--10:30am             Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, Comm. Gen. First US Army
                       10:30--11:15am           Cindy Hellyar, Corporate Gerontologist, The Hartford
                       11:15--Noon                  Panel Introduction
                       Noon--1:30pm              Lunch on Own (box lunch may be purchased)
                        1:30 --2:15 pm             Marcie Roth, Director, Disability Integration, FEMA
                        2:15--4:00pm               Panel Interaction w/ Lt. Gen. Honore & Marcie Roth

To Register:  Call or e-mail Jolene at 860-314-2274 or joleneg@ctcommunitycare.org or click here for online registration
     
     
What:  Connecticut Community Care, Inc., (CCCI) will help commemorate its 30th anniversary by hosting an event for professionals in the eldercare, healthcare and disabilities communities, first responders and family caregivers. The Myra Kerr Education Memorial Conference, named in memory of a former director of quality at CCCI, will be held for the first time in Eastern Conn. The topic will focus on elders and individuals with disabilities and their needs when faced with the realities of a disaster: what to expect; how to prepare; and how to manage the necessary transitions during time of disaster. Local experts will update keynotes on where things are in terms of preparedness here in Conn. and keynotes will offer their perspectives and advice surrounding gaps and next steps. 

Goals:

•      Produce an educational event that provides an overview of the experiences and impact previous disasters have had on people with functional limitations through the eyes of those who were in charge

•      Present a panel of local experts who will outline current efforts and issues here in Connecticut

•      Engage panel and keynotes in a discussion regarding existing gaps

•      Begin to explore how gaps might be filled so when disaster strikes we are prepared
to assist those most in need
 

Lt. General Russel L. Honore, Commanding General First United States Army

General Honore has served in a variety of command and staff positions during his 37 year career with the Army. He has served as Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; Vice Director for Operations, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; Deputy Commanding General/Assist. Commandant, US Army Infantry Center and School, Fort Benning, GA and much more. Most recently, General Honore served as Commander Standing Joint Force Headquarters---Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command until June 2004.

Few know more about leadership in crisis than Lt. Gen. Honore. He will always be remembered as the “John Wayne dude”---who was called in to command Joint Task Force –Katrina and to coordinate the military relief efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Gen. Honore learned a lot in New Orleans---not just about the devastation of hurricanes, but the lack of government and civil preparation for a predictable event. He gives strong and well-tested advice for leadership in bad situations--how to set priorities, talk with the media, communicate within the organization and keep a crisis from turning into a disaster.

Cynthia Hellyar, Corporate Gerontologist, The Hartford

The Hartford’s Advance 50 Team, a group of in-house gerontologists and experts on aging, partnered with the MIT AgeLab to conduct focus groups consisting of family caregivers, elders and claims adjusters to discuss their experiences with different types of natural disasters. The company, committed to producing original research that influences the quality of life of older adults and families, has produced two publications regarding this issue and will share its findings and information to help guide important decisions about safety, mobility and independence.

Marcie Roth, Director, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, FEMA

Former Connecticut resident Marcie Roth was appointed by President Obama in June 2009 to be the Senior Advisor on Disability Issues for FEMA. Previously, she was the President and CEO of Global Disability Solutions Group, a leading national organization promoting diverse workforce initiatives with a focus on disability issues.

Over the past 20 years, Ms. Roth has held leadership positions with the National Coalition for Disability Rights, National Spinal Cord Injury Assoc., National Council on Independent Living and TASH, the national disability rights organization. She is frequently consulted as an expert on strategic approaches that fully integrate preparedness, response and recovery solutions. Ms. Roth led private sector response to the needs of survivors with disabilities during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and she was commended by the White House for her efforts on behalf of New Yorkers with disabilities in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks. In addition to her own personal experience with disability, Ms. Roth is the parent of two children with disabilities, both on their way to achieving independence.

Sue Rochester Bolen, Senior Director of Emergency Services, CT Chapter of the American Red Cross

Sue Bolen oversees the Red Cross emergency management program for the eastern part of Connecticut.  During her 16 years in the position she has developed response plans for multiple disaster scenarios, as well as serving on disaster relief operations around the country including hurricanes Katrina, Ike and the 9/11 attacks.  She also provides operations management during local emergencies from single family home fires to larger incidents such as the recent flooding.  Bolen serves as the State of CT Regional RESF 6- Mass Care Chairperson, CERT leadership team, and is a member of multiple committees and organization focusing on emergency response and management in Eastern CT.  She resides in Niantic with her family.

Barbara Dingfelder, RN, BSN, MPH

Barbara Dingfelder is a clinical nurse specialist in Public/Community Health Nursing and a Certified Health Education Specialist.  She has worked in multiple health care settings and nursing roles that include rehabilitation, perioperative care, home health, med surg and public health.  Dingfelder joined the Department of Public Health in 2002 as a nurse consultant for the State’s Breast and Cervical Cancer and Early Detection and WISEWOMAN programs.  In 2005 she moved to the Local health Administration Branch and has developed her role as the Local Public Health Nurse Liaison.  Dingfelder has been the project coordinator for a number of diverse projects related to emergency preparedness, integrating national public health standards, developing orientation materials and the Department’s Virtual Office of Public health Nursing.

Patrick R. McCormack, MPH, Director of Health, Uncas Health District

Mr. McCormack has been the director of Health for the Uncas health district since 2004.  The District now serves Bozrah, Montville, Norwich and Sprague, CT.  McCormack serves as the Chairman of the public health regional preparedness function for DEMHS Region #4.  He is also on the Executive committee of the New London County health Collaborative, the Board of the Directors for the Northeast District Department of health, the Connecticut Association of directors of health and the southeastern Regional Action Council.  He is a CCCI Corporator and a member of the Norwich NAACP.  He resides in Brooklyn with his family.

Jeffrey Montague, M.Div., Health Program Associate, CT Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Mr. Montague is the Health Program Associate with the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services at the Southeastern Mental health Authority in Norwich.  He serves as the Team Leader for the CT Disaster Behavioral Health Response Network, Region 4.  Preparedness planning and exercising with allied health partners and traditional First Responders is a primary component of his daily responsibilities. With a professional framework of pastoral care and chaplaincy, Montague’s involvement in emergency preparedness and response he has long recognized the needed collaboration between physical, emotional and spiritual care providers.  Jeff is also the Coordinator of the Faith Initiative at the MSHA.  Building bridges with community faith leaders and staff education and training are his priorities.  He is also serves as SMHA’s EAP and Critical Incident Stress Management Team and Health and Safety Coordinator.

Therese A. Nadeau, MSW, Disability and Emergency Preparedness Consultant

Ms. Nadeau has worked as a disability and emergency preparedness consultant and is currently the project coordinator for the Self-Directed Support Services Program at CCCI.  Previous experience includes that as the Connect-Ability Project Coordinator for the City of New Haven; Program Manager for the CT Tech Act Project’s Assistive Technology Loan Program and the development of “You are the Employer:  A Guide to Hiring and Managing Personal Assistance Services.  Nadeau co-hosted the Emmy Award Winning TV series “Able Lives” and “Able Lives Incorporated” on CPTV and authored a children’s book entitled “Sassy Goes to Work” focusing on her service dog, Sassy.  She conducts presentations statewide and nationally regarding supports for people with disabilities and has educated on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities, working with first responders and other emergency planners to evaluate the needs of people with disabilities in shelter and evacuation planning.  Nadeau has helped train more than 1,300 first responders and emergency personnel in conjunction with the Capital Region Emergency Planning Committee/Capital Region Council of Governments. She and her dog Sassy have completed the course for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and are members of a new team focusing on providing education and support to those with functional limitations in emergency situations.

Damian M. Rickard, EMS-I, MREMT-P, Director, Emergency Management and Operational Support, American Ambulance Service, Inc.

Mr. Rickard is Director of Emergency Management and Operational Support, American Ambulance Service, Inc. where one of his primary responsibilities is emergency preparedness planning and response for this large ambulance service. He has been involved in emergency medical services in southeastern Connecticut for more than 13 years.  Rickard has extensive background in public safety telecommunications, EMS Management and patient care practiced as paramedic and paramedic preceptor.  Throughout his career Rickard has participated in many significant events both as a provider and member of the Incident Management Team including responding to the World Trade Center on 9/11, the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Fire in 2009 and the Middletown Power Plant Explosion in 2010.  Richard is a member of CT’s Region 4 Incident management Team and the CT-1 Disaster medical Assistance Team.  He serves on the CT Statewide Credentialing Committee, CT Region 4 ESF8 and the Norwich Public Safety Committee.  He resides in Norwich with his family.

Joseph R. Sastre, Director, Emergency Management, Town of Groton

Mr. Sastre has spent more than thirty years in public safety, first as a police officer.  In 2002 he took over as the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Groton, responsible for coordinating emergency response in the community of 40,000 individuals, 11 fire departments, three police departments and two ambulance services.  He manages the only full-service (police, fire and EMS) Regional 911 Dispatch Center in Connecticut.  Sastre chairs the Region 4 Emergency Planning Team Steering committee representing the 43 municipalities within Region 4 and the chairs of each of the Emergency Support Function groups.  He is a member of the CT Homeland Security council, Training and National Incident Management Subcommittee, the Connecticut Emergency management Association, the Office of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications, Emergency Notification work Group.