Emergency management experts to share information examine 2011 Missouri River Flood at USD
The Missouri River Flood Conference, designed for local, state, and federal officials, will include best practices related to the flood fight last summer and address preparation for future emergencies. Tim Cowman, executive director of the Missouri River Institute, will deliver Tuesday’s keynote address, “The Anatomy of the Missouri River Flood,” at 8:30 a.m. in the Freedom Forum Conference Room. Additional speakers on the first day include Sioux City Fire Chief Tom Everett at 10:15 a.m. and Rick Fosse of Iowa City, Iowa, who will lead a 3 p.m. plenary session, “Double Trouble: A Tornado and a Flood in Iowa City.”
John Berge, executive director of the USDA National Food and Agriculture Council, begins the second day of the conference with a keynote address at 8:30 a.m. in the Freedom Forum Conference Room followed by a presentation from David Pearson of the National Weather Service. The conference also includes workshop sessions on topics related to the response and recovery of the event, including “Psychological First Aid” by Gerard Jacobs, Ph.D., of USD; research and learning opportunities as well as experts who will share information on volunteer coordination, law enforcement’s function during a disaster and the United States Geological Services task through the flood.
The conference is free of charge and open to public officials, private citizens, volunteer organizations, academic professionals and students. For registration information, please contact conference coordinator Michelle Skaff at (712) 899-3757 or email [email protected].