All content programming is subject to change.
Monday • April 24
12:30 – 5:00 PM Special CRO Session (by invite only)
Tuesday • April 25
8:00 – 1:00 PM Optional Offsite Experiential Resilience Tours (limited availability!)
1:00 PM
Registration + Snacks
Welcome to NOLA! Have a cool beverage and pick up your badge at registration.
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Opening Remarks
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Plenary Session
“Data is the Foundation for Building Resilience”
The session will present the progress that has been made towards creating a Trusted Data Sharing Environment for the emergency management community. Speakers will provide updates and demonstrations of policies, processes and platforms being used to enable the whole of community to identify, access, manage, share, visualize, analyze, collaborate and coordinate activities to make data informed planning, response and resource decisions. The audience will come away with information on new capabilities- some free and some cost effective – already in use as well as new ones being developed. It will also provide an update on the efforts to create a national governance structure as part of a Trusted Data Environment. Finally, it will come away with model practices and approaches they can use to facilitate data sharing in their own locality, county, state or region.
Speakers:
Bob Greenberg; G&H International Services, Inc, the Consortium for Emergency Services Technology and the Multi-Area Research Technology Hub Alliance
Dan Ault, Assistant Town Manager Cary, North Carolina
Dan Cotter, Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary, DHS Science and Technology Directorate
Carlos Rivera, Amazon Web Services; former Virginia Chief Data Officer
2:30 PM – 3:15PM
Plenary Session
“Hitchhikers Guide to Navigating Grant Funding Opportunities”
This facilitated discussion will explore how states can build capacity across communities and streamline the competitive grant funding to allow communities across the state, and specifically underserved communities, to fund resilience activities. Currently, there is an unprecedented amount of federal competitive funding as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These programs, as well as other non-federal competitive funding sources such as private foundations & quasi-federal funders are also available directly to states, counties, local governments, tribal communities, nations & NGOs. However, the process to find, apply for and manage such competitions is complicated & time consuming. Adding to this issue is the lack of analytic data related to grant applications & awards. To ensure the fair & equitable distribution of grant awards, & to reduce duplication of effort, data analytics is needed. Having such data would help target technical assistance to those communities that need it most by understanding who is submitting applications & who is & who is not obtaining funding. Another obstacle for communities to access funding is the pre-requisite of planning & project design needed to access many grant opportunities. Short periods of performance often do not allow for adequate time for planning and project design. Even if a program will cover the planning & design portion of a specific pre-identified project, most programs do not cover the planning process & community engagement process needed to identify high-quality projects.
Speakers:
Fran Varacalli,Grants Administrator, South Carolina Office of Resilience
Hope Warren, State Planner, South Carolina Office of Resilience
Joanne Throwe, President, Throwe Environmental
Mathew Sanders, Senior Manager, Flood-Prepared Communities, The Pew Charitable Trusts
3:15PM – 3:30PM
Break
3:30 PM – 4:15PM
Plenary Session
“Are We Prepared for the Potential Cascading Consequences of a Cyber Attack? Building More Resilient Oil and Natural Gas Pipeline Infrastructure”
In recent years, pipelines have become increasingly automated with remote access and internet-connected devices to drive operations. While producing greater efficiencies in the delivery of these essential resources, the information technology and operations technology systems that underpin automation also present vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors. According to the Department of Homeland Security, among the potential consequences of a successful attack on pipeline systems could be “explosions, equipment destruction, unanticipated shutdowns or sabotage, theft of intellectual property, and downstream impacts to National Critical Functions and, therefore, impact our national safety and prosperity.” Are we prepared for the potential consequences of such an attack? This session addresses will offer lessons learned and promising practices that can help inform the emergency manager’s role in preparing for and responding to such an attack.
Speaker:
Jeff McLeod (moderator), Deloitte
Steven Giambrone, Director of Pipeline Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Chad Vicknair, Specialist Leader, Deloitte
Euclid Tally, LA Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
4:30 PM – 5:30PM
Plenary Session
“Where Does Emergency Management Stop and Resilience Begin?”
Panelists Include:
Marissa Aho, Policy Director & Chief Resilience Officer, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Russ Strickland, Secretary of Emergency Management, Maryland Department of Emergency Management
Dr. Wayne P Bergeron, Director, North Alabama Public Service Training Center, University of North Alabama
Jonathan Gaddy, SME, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
Dr. Royce Woodruff, University of North Alabama
5:30PM – 6:45PM
Welcome Mixer
“Al-Fresco Networking Mixer”
Ease into ResCon 2023 with a casual mixer to re-establish old connections and new. Hungry for some delicious local bites and a cocktail or mocktail with friends? You’ve come to the right place. Join in the fun!
7:45 AM – 8:15 AM
Coffee + Conversation
Join us at the “ResCon Rendevous” meet-up spot for coffee and a quick-hitting mini session to get your morning going.
8:15 AM – 9:15 AM
Plenary Session
Annual CRO Panel – “Building a Resilience Office + More”
Panelists Include:
Lottie Ferguson, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Flint, Mayor’s Office
Robert Martin, Director, State Resiliency Office, State of West Virginia
Anne Miller, Colorado Resiliency Office Director, State of Colorado
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Concurrent Sessions
“Building Resilient and Sustainable Communities of Color using a National Preparedness System Social Equity Whole Community Centered Approach”
Adopting social equity (SE) centered framework in emergency management will strengthen integrative emergency management and help build resilient communities of color. Emergency management organizations have not embraced SE as an actionable dimension capable of providing effective preparedness strategies to enhance resilience within marginalized communities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency Whole Community Approach is supposed to strengthen security, safety, and build resilience in an all-of-nation concept. This approach will not work while inequities exist within marginalized communities.
However, social disruptions are local therefore the responsibility rests on local jurisdictional governments to ensure assessments are performed revealing the equitable needs of the community in the event of a disaster. Further, disasters like Hurricanes Katrina, the Flint, Michigan water disaster, and the COVID-19 response disproportionately impacted communities of color reflecting inequity within emergency management preparedness. Further, proliferation of environmental injustices has increased all-hazard exposure in Black communities. Though the federal government has defined equity it is the responsibility of each subordinate jurisdiction to embrace a fair and equitable and distributive culture in emergency management. This can be accomplished by applying social equity criterion.
Speaker:
Dr. Michael A. Brown, President, The O.W.O.W. Foundation
“Practical Innovation in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery”
Low and moderate-income families are disproportionately impacted by disasters, but typically lack access to the needed financial resources to recover from damaging extreme events. They have little or no savings, can be denied post-disaster loans, federal aid is typically insufficient or very delayed, and traditional insurance policies are often unaffordable. HUD, for example, is the most significant source of home repair assistance that vulnerable survivors can receive, but funds from HUD take at least two years to reach the first eligible citizens in disaster-impacted communities. Without faster funding, low-income households can spiral into serious financial hardship and take much longer to recover. This panel presents solutions for speeding up disaster recovery through innovative finance models that are being piloted around the country, including: The Recovery Acceleration Fund; Funding fast emergency cash grants; Microinsurance; and more.
Speakers:
Reese May, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, SBP
Helen Wiley, Disaster Preparedness Program Director, SBP
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Plenary Session
“Strategies to Leverage Federal Funding to Support Investments in Long-Term Community Resilience”
Panelists Include:
Jeffery Thomas, Director, KPMG
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Plenary Session
“South Carolina Resilience Planning Update”
The Disaster Relief and Resilience Act (2020) directs the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) to develop, implement and maintain the Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan (Statewide Resilience Plan). This plan is intended to serve as a framework to guide state investment in flood mitigation projects and the adoption of programs and policies to protect the people and property of South Carolina from the damage and destruction of extreme weather events. The presentation will cover the planning process, vulnerability assessment, measuring resilience and developing recommendations for implementation at the statewide level.
Speaker:
Alex Butler, Resilience Planning Director, South Carolina Office of Resilience
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch
“Al-Fresco Luncheon”
Enjoy some delicious food, unwind and decompress, all while you dine al-fresco on the Live Oak Porch.
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Plenary Session
“The Way Forward: How Communities Can Thrive after Being Hit with Multiple Disasters”
Panelists Include:
Dr. Gilda Brown Ebanks, Community Manager, Disaster Risk Reduction, American Red Cross
Victoria Salinas, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for Resilience, FEMA
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Plenary Session
“Using Community Resilience Indicator Analysis to Ensure Equity in Resilience through Community Lifelines Services to our Vulnerable Communities”
This session will focus on a new approach to better coordinate and ensure essential community “lifelines” services are accessible in our most Vulnerable Communities. To ensure essential services in all communities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has defined seven Community “Lifeline” services needed before, during and after a disaster: (1) Safety and Security; (2) Food, Water, and Sheltering; (3) Health and Medical; (4) Energy (Power & Fuel); (5) Communication; (6) Transportation; and (7) Hazardous Materials. To assess the equitable distribution of Lifelines services in all communities, the FEMA community lifelines construct uses community resilience indicators to help communities design resilience strategies. The indicators are inherent to the local community environment that enhance or detract from the community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, or recovery from a disaster. These indicators highlight areas where emergency managers can provide target outreach strategies to ensure equitable resilience across all communities. This session will provide whole community partners with information and resources to understand Community Lifelines and how to coordinate with entities by using Community Lifelines and incorporating Community Lifelines into their preparedness and response efforts.
Speakers:
Darrell Small, MS, CEM,Office of Emergency Management, State of Maryland
Alexandra Harris, MS, MPH, CEM, PGC, Office of Emergency Management, State of Maryland
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Bites + Blend Break with Expert Studio Presentation(s)
Take a little mental snack break. While you enjoy some scrumptious treats, enjoy a bite-sized mini session featuring the latest innovative tools in resiliency.
“The 211 System’s Role During Disasters and How to Partner with It”
This presentation will discuss the central role that 211 systems play during disasters, and how organizations can assist residents and improve their situational awareness by working with 211 providers. 211 is a dialing code that anyone in the United States can call to be connected to human services providers and get emotional support. In Louisiana, during disasters the State government uses the Louisiana 211 Statewide Network as their official source of information and assistance and encourages people to contact 211 to find shelters, sandbags, food distribution sites, and long-term recovery services. VIA LINK manages the 211 system for Southeast Louisiana, and during Hurricane Ida it helped tens of thousands of people. During this session you will learn what 211s do during disasters, how to use their data, and how to partner with them.
Speakers:
LaVondra Dobbs, President and CEO of VIA LINK
Andrew Holbein, Director of Resources and Data at VIA LINK
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
Plenary Session
“Absentis Medio: Disparity in the Rural-Urban Divide in Disaster Readiness and Recovery”
Low-attention disasters are often localized events that do not garner regional or national attention, affecting mostly rural, isolated communities. According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, low-attention disasters are most often identified by all or some of the following indicators: (1) disproportionately affected marginalized or chronically under-resourced populations; (2) high percentage of damage to housing; (3) insufficient community infrastructure or ability to develop or sustain recovery operations; and (4) no FEMA Individual Assistance declaration.
In disaster recovery, there is an unspoken disparity in the rural-urban divide. This workshop will share a new replicable and scalable disaster-recovery apparatus called “Project Home Grown” that reflects rural and low-attention community realities, the most basic of which is this: local folks are not only first responders in hard-to-reach rural areas, but they are also the critical players in helping communities hang on long enough, and prepare adequately, to see a realistic and timely response, and then facilitate a locally, driven recovery.
Speakers:
Michelle Luckett, President & CEO, Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) Inc. CEO & Chair-Elect for the Florida VOAD
Dr. Dianna Bryant, University of Central Missouri
4:30 PM-6:00 PM
Special Networking Event – FAIS DO DO
For our final night, let’s mix and mingle – New Orleans-style. What’s a (FAY-DOUGH-DOUGH) you ask? It’s a cajun dance party, of course. We won’t make you dance, but we will be serving up some fun Zydeco sounds and a little crawfish boil. It’ll be a unique way to mingle!
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Coffee + Bites
Wake up with us to get your morning going.
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Plenary Session
“Wildfires: Burning Through State Budgets”
The rising cost and frequency of wildfires are putting pressure on budgets across all levels of government, fueling debates that could affect the dynamics of the disaster funding system. This session would provide an overview of new research from The Pew Charitable Trusts highlighting the dual budgeting challenges stemming from growing wildfire spending – 1) adequately budgeting resources for the unpredictable costs of fighting and recovering from fires and 2) overcoming barriers to investing in cost-saving mitigation activities that could reduce risk and manage spending in the long term. Pew’s research found that current state wildfire budgeting practices are hitting their limit as shortfalls stemming from extreme fires have led states to overly rely on emergency funding outside of the typical budget cycle. Meanwhile, federal and state investments in cost-saving mitigation activities are growing, but key barriers persist to successfully implementing mitigation at the necessary levels to manage fire risk. Underlying both of these issues, states have an opportunity make more informed budgeting decisions by making wildfire spending data more transparent, accessible, and comprehensive.
Speakers:
Colin Foard, manager, Fiscal Federalism Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Kelsey Delaney, Director of Partnerships and Program Implementation, Western Forestry Leadership Coalition
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Plenary Session
Annual Governor Update
Gov. John Bel Edwards, State of Louisiana
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Plenary Sessions
“Power of Partnerships: Reaching the Unreached through Data- and Science-Based Training”
Future climate conditions may bring unprecedented destruction with the loss of critical functions for many communities; this loss will be compounded for underserved communities already suffering with social vulnerabilities. FEMA is taking action with training and education solutions. Through investments in partnerships with renowned institutions, FEMA’s National Training and Education Division is developing training that closes the gaps between climate literacy and emergency preparedness, outlines social vulnerabilities and disparities associated with climate change impacts, and offers scenario-based planning to enhance learning. Join this session to engage with FEMA’s Charlotte Porter along with the University of Hawaii’s Dr. Karl Kim and Columbia University’s Dr. Tom Chandler to learn more about plans to reach the unreached with data and science-based training using climate modeling and community data to help grow climate resilient communities.
Speakers:
Charlotte Porter, Director, FEMA’s National Training and Education Division
Dr. Karl Kim, University of Hawaii’s National Disaster Preparedness Training Center
Dr. Thomas Chandler, Columbia University’s Climate School, National Center for Disaster Preparedness
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Plenary Session
“Enhancing Housing Resilience for More Equitable Communities”
Many states face dual challenges in ensuring a more resilient housing sector: hurdles in standing up a disaster recovery program, and gaps in near- and long-term actions that could lead to more resilient housing stock. It is also often the case that socio-economic disparities exist in the investment and allocation of resources to mitigate or recover damage to housing stock from disasters. This session will explore priorities and promising solutions to address these inequities and improve housing resilience.
Speakers:
Moderator: Natalie F. Enclade, PhD, Executive Director, BuildStrong Coalition
Ben Duncan, Chief Resilience Officer, South Carolina Office of Resilience
Chris Fennell, Chief Development Officer, Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)
Anne Miller, Director, Colorado Resiliency Office (CRO), Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Christy, Jones, Supervisory Emergency Management Specialist, Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Plenary Session
“Recruitment and Retention Strategies to Build Resilience in the Disaster Response Workforce”
Workforce shortages and skill mismatches challenge sectors across the economy and regions across the country to tackle a dual challenge of filling immediate workforce needs while building stronger, more consistent talent pipelines to sustain workforce needs in the longer-term. A number of occupations critical to disaster response and recovery have faced workforce declines in recent years, including police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other responders. Shortages in this sector quickly have compound effects on the workforce, as current workers experience more rapid burnout and exit the field. This session will dissect the root causes of shortages in these fields and will explore innovative solutions being tested at state and local levels across the country.
Speakers:
Moderator: Chris Fennell, Chief Development Officer, Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)
Jessica Vallelungo, Executive Director of Quality Diplomas, Office of Career & College Readiness, Louisiana Department of Education
Steve Click, Director, Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness
12:15 PM
Conference Concludes