Annual emergency response training conference for region, all who responds to emergencies
McALLEN, TX – The tenth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference will be held Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. The STAHC is the second largest training conference of its kind in the state of Texas and is the only conference offered at no charge to invited participants. More than 3,000 individuals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions are expected 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 (NIMS) 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.”
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 Service (TEEX) and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
“TEEX is honored to sponsor the 2024 South Texas All Hazards Conference. Our strong relationships with agencies across South Texas, our collaboration to accomplish goals and the quality of the conference programs will ensure emergency responders are well-trained and prepared when disaster strikes. Thank you for all that you do,” said David Coatney, Director of TEEX.
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 will open with a plenary session at 8:45 a.m. with keynote speaker Marcus Luttrell set to speak at 11:00 a.m. Luttrell is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings in which he was the lone survivor.
The conference is split into five educational tracks: Public Health; Emergency Management; Law Enforcement; Leadership; and Public Works. 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 the Immunization Summit, an opportunity for immunization leaders and health care providers to 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. Additionally, key aspects of the session will focus on how to respond to the hard-of-hearing and vision-impaired community, and others with mobility issues during an emergency and how to effectively relay emergency information.
Registration for the conference is open to professionals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions who respond to emergency events. To attend, Register through Whova here.
Attendees will also need to register through TEEX to receive their continuing education credit. Register through TEEX here.
Call the Help Desk at (979) 458-6833, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for help with registration. For more information about the conference, sessions or presenters, please call (956) 318-2426.
Hotels located at 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; Hilton Garden Inn; Radisson Hotel;. Please request the STAHC conference rate when making reservations.
Due to NIMS protocol, the exhibit hall, workshops and training sessions will be closed to members of the media and the public. However, news professionals are invited to the opening ceremony on Wednesday, March 27 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, starting at 8:45 a.m. and the press conference later that morning at 10:30 a.m.
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