ADA National Network Learning Session: The Realities of Emergency Management: Understanding Our Realities and How They Impact Inclusive Emergency Management

Emergency Management Directors (EMDs) deal with some surprising and sometimes immovable obstacles in their operations including tiny budgets, small to no staff, and a lack of political concern or support. To be successful as an EMD or when working with EMDs to improve the accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance of an emergency management program, it's important to understand these realities. This webinar will discuss not only the realities emergency managers face but how to incorporate these realities in approaches to increase accessibility and ADA compliance in emergency management.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the realities and challenges that emergency managers face.
• Learn how to adapt our approach to acknowledge, address, and incorporate these realities.

Presenters:

Dawn Brantley, JD, CEM, ADAC, is the Acting Director of Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Founder of the Inclusive Emergency Management Community (inclusiveEM.community), attorney, Founder and VP of the International Association of Mass Care Professionals, Co-Chair of NEMA Diversity & Equity Committee. Director Brantley has more than 14 years experience in EM at the local, regional, state, and federal levels; has responded to 24 disasters in 6 states; and has done extensive work in inclusive emergency management.

Teresa Scott-Hoggard, PhD, CEM, currently serves as a Preparedness Response & Recovery Coordinator for the USDA and has served in the private sector, at Virginia Department of Emergency Management as State Planner, and Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator and Regional Planner for the City of Alexandria, VA. Dr. Scott-Hoggard has done significant work in both planning and response at the local and state levels and brings an important perspective to this webinar as an emergency manager with a disability. During her tenures with VDEM and Alexandria, Dr. Scott-Hoggard has responded to more than 15 local and state emergencies and disasters.

Steven Lerner, CEM, currently serves as Senior Planner with Seminole County (FL) Emergency Management. During Mr. Lerner's 10 year career with Seminole County, he has worked in mitigation, recovery, planning, and response including work in inclusive emergency management. Mr. Lerner has responded to numerous disasters in Florida and is a national leading expert in the areas of response and mass care.

Registration for this session will open Friday April 29