First United States Secretary of Homeland Security to Headline 15th Annual Emergency Preparedness Association Conference

MAYS LANDING, N.J., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be the keynote speaker at the 15^th Annual New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association Conference to be held May 6 - 10 at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. 

The event is the premier training conference in the northeast attracting approximately 1,500 attendees including; policy and community leaders from New Jersey and surrounding states; emergency management and homeland security personnel from the federal, state and local levels; and leaders from the private sector responsible for emergency response, disaster recovery, and threat reduction.

Ridge's keynote address will highlight the May 8 program agenda.  "Superstorm Sandy was another heart-wrenching example of the brutality, scope and lingering consequences of catastrophic disasters," said Ridge. "The New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association Conference will serve as an important forum for discussion as we look at what we learned from last year's super storm and how we can better prepare at all levels for future large-scale events."

The 2013 conference will feature a variety of training opportunities available to both public and private emergency responders to enhance response capabilities.  Classes will cover a wide range of topics and present offerings in multiple disciplines. Some of the topics that will be covered in the training include: 

• Lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy
• Response and recovery operations
• Community resilience
• Business continuity 
• Disaster recovery and risk reduction 
• Social media and communications and 
• Cyber security.

All classes receive certification and CEUs may be available. These programs are offered as part of the conference registration fee but class sizes are limited and only available on a first come first serve basis. Registration confirmation is required to attend.

Conference breakout sessions incorporate both general sessions and smaller group sessions. The general sessions feature regionally and nationally recognized experts who present information related to the conference theme as well as on topics relevant to today's emergency managers. The sessions are incorporated to enhance and emphasize, in a smaller group format to allow for close interaction with State and regional experts.

The Tropicana Hotel's large exhibit area provides over 100 spaces for vendors and sponsors. Organizations and companies providing equipment, supplies and services to support emergency management will be on hand to show their goods. Many of our corporate sponsors are also available in this area to discuss the various programs and opportunities that they offer.  The exhibit hall also serves as the focal point of the conference activities.

Additional information for registration can be obtained by going to NJEPA Conference 2013 or http://www.njepa.org/current-conference.

SOURCE New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association