2024 Plenary Sessions
A Case Study in Collaboration: Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Management Responding to the East Palestine Train Derailment
Monday, March 25, 8:00-10:00 AM ET
In February 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a community of 4,600 in East Palestine, Ohio. Nearly 70 federal, state, and local emergency agencies from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia mobilized in response to the event. In this session, join representatives from the state and local jurisdictions for a look back at their response. See how lessons learned from this complex coordination effort can help you to align the public health, healthcare, and emergency management sectors in your community in times of crisis and blue skies.
Let's Talk about ICS: Integrating Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Management Response Frameworks
Tuesday, March 26, 8:00-9:30 ET
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) describes the Incident Command System (ICS) as an “organizational structure for incident management that integrates and coordinates a combination of procedures, personnel, equipment, facilities, and communications to be effective.” While ICS is intended for use in incidents of any size or complexity, its implementation, as demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 response for example, was documented to be inconsistent across incidents and industries. This calls into question its applicability as an organizational framework for future responses. Join this important plenary session that brings together national leaders from the public health, healthcare, emergency management, and governmental leadership spheres to begin a conversation about the effective implementation of ICS into the future.
Testing the Limitless Possibilities of Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Preparedness and Response: How to Be Smart About It
Thursday, March 28, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM ET
Chatbots, drones, and deep learning to name just a few. The possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be used to enhance our world and response capabilities are exciting and nearly limitless. Yet, how much do we know about how AI is currently being used in emergency preparedness and response and how it can be used to enhance our work? This highly interactive and engaging session will provide a glimpse into some of AI’s applications using a real-world response scenario. Panelists will provide examples of AI uses, reflect on challenges and risks, and provide guidance to enable you to ask critical questions around potential use and adoption of new technologies in your communities.
Don’t Miss the 2024 Preparedness Summit—register today!