NY OEMs Host National Conference - 9/11: A Country Changed New York, NY – As we prepare to rebuild at the site of the World Trade Center after the terror attack on New York City on September 11, 2001, emergency professionals from the tri-state area are hosting a comprehensive emergency management conference on the progress made toward readiness, redevelopment and lessons learned from the worst domestic attack in the history of the United States of America.  From Monday, May 5 th, 2002 through Wednesday, May 7th, 2003 a conference titled “9/11: A Country Changed” will be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel, 811 7th Avenue @ 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019.

 “This conference has assembled the key figures who managed Ground Zero and who have been implementing changes in policies and procedures,” said Edward F. Jacoby Jr., Director of the New York State Emergency Management Office.  “Over the course of three days, we will hear from some of the nation’s top emergency management professionals on a wide range of topics and examine the changes made since homeland security became a national priority.”
 
 Hundreds of municipal officials, first responders and international emergency management professionals are expected to attend this conference.  Speakers and presenters will include: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Publisher and CEO of the Jerusalem Post Tom Rose and the Director of Bioterrorism Preparedness for the Centers for Disease Control Joseph Henderson in addition to dozens of emergency management professionals with local and national profiles.

The three-day conference will also examine the revitalization of a major city following a rebuilding of its infrastructure, police and fire department protocols in dealing with homeland security issues, and the establishment of emergency operations centers post 9/11. 

“The need for comprehensive emergency management and preparedness has never been more pronounced at any other time in our city’s-and our nation’s- history,” said John T. Odermatt, Commissioner of New York City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM).  Odermatt continued, “Preparing for, and responding to, different types of emergencies is a task that must be approached in a regional context.  Bringing together members from different parts of the emergency management community from across the country is a key step to enhancing our individual and indeed our regional responses” 

“The impact of 9/11 has been felt by all emergency managers throughout the country.  During these 3 days we will tackle tough national and local emergency management issues, including homeland security and terrorism, said Richard Rotanz, Commissioner of Nassau County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM).”  Rotanz continued, “It will also give us the opportunity to hear and learn first hand how each segment of the emergency management community is responding – how we have increased our vigilance and enhanced our expertise to ensure our community’s safety.”

 This conference is the tenth annual Long Island/New York City Emergency Management Conference.  The agenda this year, as it was last year as well, focuses on the events of September 11th,  2001, which for many emergency managers, has proven to be a career-defining scenario.  For further information about this event, please visit the conference Web site at www.LINYCEMCONFERENCE.com.

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CONTACT: Jarrod Bernstein 718-422-4888 (OEM)
Tracy Burgess Levy 516-524-4422 (LIPA)