The ninth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference takes place March 22-23 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center. As the second largest training conference of its kind in Texas, STAHC and is the only conference offered at no charge to invited participants.
Organizers expect more than 3,000 individuals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions to attend. The conference is open to local, state or federal personnel who respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or man-made.
The conference follows the National Incident Management System in organization and execution. NIMS is a standardized approach to incident management developed by the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate coordination between all responders.
“In this day and age, we must take every opportunity to train, not only our first responders, but also the support staff, in the unified command structure. During an emergency, NIMS ensures that crucial information is communicated,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez. “All you have to do is watch the news to know that emergencies can come in any form and from any source.”
Texas Strong
The conference provides leaders, decision makers, healthcare clinicians, preparedness professionals and first responders with opportunities for networking, resource sharing, scholarly exchange and continuing education. Attendees will receive continuing education credits through Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services (TEEX) and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The theme “Texas Strong” represents the quick, unfailing and efficient response to emergencies and natural disasters throughout the state of Texas, not only by those in law enforcement, first responders and other corresponding agencies, but also by everyday who assist their fellow Texans whenever disaster strikes. According to Chief W. Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas has more disasters than any other U.S. state.
The conference contains five educational tracks: Public Health, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Leadership, and Public Works;. Organizers are currently confirming speakers for the event.
Diversity In Topics
More than 65 presenters will come from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, U. S. Custom & Border Protection, National Weather Service, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Public Safety, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Union Pacific Railroad, Coast Guard, FBI, FEMA, and other federal, state, local and non-profit agencies.
Also occurring during the STAHC will be Immunization Summit. Here, immunization leaders and health care providers may network and learn how to address immunization barriers and improve immunization rates.
Some confirmed conference topics include: Pandemic Response, Human Trafficking, Responder Health, Agroterrorism, Threats and Response, and Public Works and Emergency Response. The tabletop training session is open to general managers, editors, news directors and reporters, publishers and organization spokespersons.
Registration for the conference is open to anyone from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions who responds to emergencies. Registration is available online.
Attendees will also need to register through TEEX to receive their continuing education credit.