June 17, 1998 Panel DiscussionFEMA Region IV Tornado Summit: A Safe Place to Go With |
Contents:
Summary
Online Transcript
Download Transcript (MS Word File)
Panelists:
John B. Copenhaver
A. Todd Davison
Bryan Norcross
Elaine W. Sexton
Moderator:
Avagene Moore, EIIP Coordinator
Related Pages:
Summit Announcement
Press Release
Photos
FEMA Region IV Home Page
NWS Tornado Information Page
Storm Prediction Center Home Page
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SUMMARYEIIP Virtual Forum Panel Discussion "FEMA Region IV Tornado Summit" Featured Panelists John B. Copenhaver Bryan Norcross Elaine W. Sexton A. Todd Davison
Summit attendance was limited to approximately 75 participants. The 1-day event included State Emergency Management Directors from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; academic experts from Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Texas Tech University; local community emergency management agency representatives who recently experienced tornado impacts; meteorologists from local media outlets; and other federal agencies. After a plenary session that covered key ideas, limitations, and technologies surrounding the detection, forecasting, warning, and safe sheltering of people at risk from tornadoes and severe weather, Tornado Summit attendees worked in three breakout groups to determine short-term and long-term recommendations on (1) Warning and Forecasting, (2) Tornado Resistant Construction for Shelters, and (3) Community Based Planning and Implementation. Work group facilitators, Bryan Norcross, Elaine Sexton and Todd Davison, shared findings and recommendations with the EIIP Virtual Forum audience. |
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JOHN B. COPENHAVER
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A. TODD DAVISONDirector, Mitigation Division Todd Davison currently serves as Director of the Mitigation Division, FEMA Region IV. While working on two masters degrees (Physical Geography and Coastal Geology from Louisiana State University), and a doctorate, he was employed by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for five years in floodplain and coastal zone management programs, helping develop and manage the Louisiana Flood Grant Program. Joining FEMA in 1985, he spent 11 years in headquarters with both the Federal Insurance Administration and the Mitigation Directorate, where he managed the Technical Assistance and Compliance Branch. He has authored or co-authored more than 40 state, trade association and FEMA publications pertaining to floodplain management, coastal hazards, and post-disaster mitigation, including nine publications in peer-reviewed, professional scientific journals. Awarded a FEMA Congressional Fellowship in 1989, he spent a year in the office of the ranking member of the NFIP oversight committee drafting legislation that became the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994. He has directed mitigation operations following Hurricane Iniki, the Houston floods, Hurricane Marilyn, and Hurricane Fran. He also is rostered as the deputy federal coordinating officer (DFCO) for mitigation on the ERT-N (White). He and his wife, Victoria, and their young daughter reside in Tyrone, Georgia. * * * * |
Director of Meteorology and News Anchor
WFOR-TV Channel 4, South Florida
Bryan Norcross literally "talked South Florida through" Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and, since that time, his level-headed advice, professional presence and measured delivery have earned him the trust of South Florida television viewers.
As Director of Meteorology and News Anchor on WFOR-TV, Channel 4, Bryan presents weathercasts on News 4 South Florida and co-anchors WFOR's 5:30 p.m. newscast. He also produces special reports for WFOR and works closely with the team to ensure the station's state-of-the-art forecasting and meteorological capabilities.
Bryan Norcross was named Expert Advisor to the Academic Task Force on Hurricane Catastrophic Insurance by Florida State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson. Also, in recognition for his work before, during and after Hurricane Andrew, Bryan received the 1993 David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Communication and the Media Day Award for Outstanding Service from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association.
Byan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Math and Physics and a Master's degree in Communications and Meteorology from Florida State University. A resident of Coconut Grove, Bryan has lived in Florida most of his life.
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ELAINE W. SEXTONDirector 911Emergency Management Agency For four years, Ms. Sexton has served as the 911/Emergency Management Team Director in Hall County, Georgia. Prior to serving in this capacity, Ms. Sexton served as the Hall County Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director and the 911 Director for fourteen years. * * * * |
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MODERATOR
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