The eighth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference takes place March 23-24 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center. 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 STAHC is the second largest training conference of its kind in the state of Texas. It is also the only conference offered at no charge to invited participants. The conference is open to local, state or federal personnel who respond to emergencies. These include natural disasters or those caused by humans.
The conference follows the National Incident Management System in organization and execution. NIMS is a standardized approach to incident management from 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 Ricardo Saldaña, Hidalgo County Emergency Management coordinator. “All you have to do is watch the news to know that emergencies can come in any form and from any source.”
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 and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
STAHC Events
The conference is split into six educational tracks: Public Health and Hospitals; Emergency Response; Law Enforcement; Educational Institutions; Faith Based and Non-Profits; and COOP Continuity of Operations Planning for Business. Organizers are currently confirming speakers for the event.
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 can network and learn how to address 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 will be open to general managers, editors, news directors and reporters, publishers and organization spokespersons. Members of the media wishing to attend this session must register as conference participants, in addition to requesting press credentials.
Hotels on the McAllen Convention Center Campus offering special rates for the STAHC include La Quinta, Embassy Suites, and Cambria. Other properties providing special rates are Springhill Suites; Smart iStay; Hampton Inn & Suites; Homewood Suites; Radisson Hotel; Wingate; Wyndham Garden; and Best Western Rose Garden. Request the STAHC conference rate when making reservations.
Registration is open online for all with an interest in attending. Registration is also available by calling the Help Desk at 979-458-6833 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.