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WASHINGTON, D.C. SITE FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION CONFERENCE

Release Date: 7/12/1999
Contact Information: Rene A. Henry (215) 814-5560

WASHINGTON, D.C. - How to prepare for everything from terrorist attacks and civil disturbances to leaks of toxic chemical and explosions that threaten a city -- will be subjects discussed at the 1999 Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Conference to be held September 20-23 in Washington, D.C.

Nearly 2,000 people from throughout the U.S. and some foreign countries who are involved in preparing for, preventing and dealing with crises are expected to attend and learn from dozens of expert speakers and panelists.

The four-day conference, which is produced by the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and co-sponsored by the Chemical Manufacturers Association and Department of the Army, will be held at the Washington Hilton & Towers.

Featured speakers will include Dr. Sadyoshi Ohbu of St. Luke’s Hospital, Tokyo, one of the chief physicians responsible for decision making regarding treatment of victims of the Tokyo subway sarin terrorist attack; Don Haldimann, FBI special agent, who investigated the bombings of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the World Trade Center in New York as well as TWA Flight 800; and Nick Vent of the San Diego Hazardous Materials Division, who has responded to more than 3,000 incidents, including the suicide of 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult.

Panelists will explain case histories, present tabletop exercises and discuss a wide range of topics, including crisis management, risk communications, airport/aircraft concerns, chemical safety prevention, emergency planning for the disabled, insurance issues, hospital and medical preparedness, integrated contingency planning, radiological planning and response, air monitoring, transportation issues, and roles of local police and fire departments.

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