Avagene Moore: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum! Avagene Moore: Today is a milestone for us and a time to celebrate -- the EIIP Virtual Forum has been online for two years. And what a time we have had over the past two years! Avagene Moore: At the top of this hour, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Amy Sebring, EIIP Technical Projects Coordinator. Amy makes so much of the Virtual Forum a reality for all of us. Amy is a godsend --- how we got together is another story for another day --- I am so thankful to have her as a fulltime working partner in this effort. Amy, my hat's off to you! Amy Sebring: (blush) Avagene Moore: //hat Avagene Moore: The EIIP Virtual Forum began with one online session per month and we actually worried about coming up with topics and speakers. Due to a sharp learning curve, we know there is no shortage of either in this rapidly growing business. Avagene Moore: Occasionally, our speakers may be a bit timid about trying this new medium but with a little instruction and encouragement, they find they can meet the challenge. We commend all our speakers over the past two years for bravely attempting and conquering this means of communications. Avagene Moore: Today, we are starting our third year in the Virtual Forum. Any work or effort has to assess its progress and look to the future. The EIIP Virtual Forum must do the same. We measure our success from the activity and content of the Web site as well as active interaction focused on and through the Forum. Avagene Moore: We believe our Pledge Drive is critical to our future. As a participant, your outreach to others for involvement is also important. Amy will have more to say about making your pledge today. Avagene Moore: I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we are grateful to FEMA for the majority of our financial support since this project began. Our thanks to IAEM also for the administrative portion of the Cooperative Agreement with FEMA. Avagene Moore: We are fortunate to have several people in the background, the EIIP Planning Team, who have guided and assisted us. As we look to the future, they help us chart our direction. Avagene Moore: To foster the growth we want, a decision was made some months ago to seek nonprofit status for the EIIP. The process is underway now and we believe this will be advantageous to us in many ways. Avagene Moore: Back to the business and pleasure at hand --- Your presence today and the wonderful emails and cards we received are very gratifying. Please look at the cards before leaving the Forum today. http://www.emforum.org/vforum/birthday/cards99.htm Very creative and appreciated! Avagene Moore: We also have some statements we want to share with you before we get down to the less serious party activities. Avagene Moore: First of all, we have a message from Dennis Mileti, University of Colorado. Dennis has a new book out, 'Disaster by Design.' The second assessment of the disaster business has quite a bit to say about building local and regional networks, capabilities, and consensus. We especially wanted Dennis to share this message with you. Amy will be inputting Dennis' remarks; Amy? Amy Sebring: As Avagene mentioned, we asked Denis Mileti to address a few words to the concept of regional networks as discussed in the Second Assessment ... Amy Sebring: this is an area we have been experimenting with in the Red River Basin Disaster Information Network project, and I will say from our experience, this is not easy to do and presents a familiar challenge, which is getting people to commit their valuable time to it. Amy Sebring: Professor Mileti's remarks are entitled "Build Local Networks, Capabilities, and Consensus" ... Amy Sebring: "Today hazard specialists, emergency planners, resource managers, community planners, and other local stakeholders seek to solve problems on their own. An approach is needed to forge local consensus on disaster resiliency and nurture it through the complex challenges of planning and implementation. Amy Sebring: One potential approach is a "sustainable hazards mitigation network" in each of the nation's communities that would engage in collaborative problem solving. Each network would produce an integrated, comprehensive plan linking land-use, environmental, social, and economic goals. Amy Sebring: An effective plan would also identify hazards, estimate potential losses, and assess the region's environmental carrying capacity. The stakeholder network especially needs to determine the amount and kind of damage that those who experience disasters can bear. Amy Sebring: These plans would enable policy makers, businesses, and residents to understand the limitations of their region and world together to address them. Full consensus may never be reached, but the process is key because it can generate ideas and foster the sense of community required to mitigate hazards. Amy Sebring: This kind of holistic approach will also situate mitigation in the context of other community goals that, historically, have worked against action to reduce hazards. Finally, the process will advance the idea that each locality controls the character of its disasters, ... Amy Sebring: forcing stakeholders to take responsibility for natural hazards and resources and realize that the decisions they make today will determine future losses. Amy Sebring: Federal and state agencies could provide leadership in this process by sponsoring--through technical and financial support-- a few prototype networks such as model communities or regional projects." Amy Sebring: NOTE: If you are part of a group that would like to hold online meetings in our Partner room, related to disasters/emergencies, please get in touch with myself or Avagene. We are very much interested in demonstrating this capability and will work to support your effort. Amy Sebring: We figure, if the IAEM Board can do it, anybody can! Back to you Ava. Avagene Moore: Our thanks to Dennis Mileti and Amy. And now we have a statement from Kay Goss, Associate Director of FEMA Preparedness Directorate. Our good friend and partner, Chip Hines, will do the honors. Chip, thanks for being here today. chip hines: Thanks, Avagene, It has been a wonderful experience chip hines: The following are remarks from Kay Goss: chip hines: I am quite disappointed that I was not able to be with you, even virtually, today, due to previously scheduled day-long listening sessions with my headquarters employees, without managers. This celebration marks a truly remarkable event, and I am proud that my organization in FEMA has been a part of the EIIP since it's inception.. chip hines: A little over two years ago we began a planning process that gave birth to the EIIP, and at FEMA, we have done our best to continue financial and program support to the EIIP since then... chip hines: Hopefully, we've maintained an approach to the organization that allowed the EIIP to continue to mature in a way that would best suit the partnership as a whole. Along the way, there have been some bumps, but the dedicated partnership has met every challenge admirably, and has become stronger because of your devotion.. chip hines: We were happy to be able to partner with IAEM to get the organization quickly up and running, and they have been a real help in solving the many operational issues we faced in keeping the project going. In particular, I know Beth Armstrong has worked hard to make the EIIP a success, along with all her other many efforts in related areas... chip hines: We were so lucky to be able to get Avagene Moore to agree to be the coordinator for EIIP. She has brought such a breadth of professional experience and personal commitment to the organization that I just don't know what we could have done without her... chip hines: The addition of Amy Sebring to the organization brought in the technical skills and complimentary emergency management knowledge that have helped so much in the achievements of EIIP... chip hines: And I know that these two remarkable people haven't done the job alone. They have had support from a terrific group of interns, and from hardworking partners and a wide variety of speakers and program hosts. To all of you, I extend my thanks, appreciation and admiration... chip hines: As we begin EIIP's "terrible twos" we know that there are still many growing pains. Our recent budgets have not allowed us to continue funding the EIIP at the levels we might like. But I have full faith that the organization will continue to grow and respond in the magnificent fashion that has typified EIIP efforts... chip hines: As I wish a "Happy Birthday" to you, the people of EIIP, I am proud of the work we have done together, and look forward to many birthdays to come. Thank you all for making this dream a reality in our noblest profession of emergency management, and believe, along with me, that the best is yet to come! Avagene Moore: Thank you, Chip. We appreciate Kay's remarks. .. Avagene Moore: I will formally thank Kay for her statement. In our audience today we have our good friend, Lacy Suiter, Associate Director of the FEMA Response and Recovery Directorate. Thanks for joining us today, Lacy. Would you like to say a few words? Lacy Suiter: Good morning from Tennessee and thanks very much for the invitation. I recognize many of the participants name and it is good to renew old friendships - virtually. At FEMA we are all indebted to Kay Goss' determination to continue our participation in the forum... and to her selection of Avagene to guide us to a second birthday. Thanks Avagene!!! Avagene Moore: Thank you, Lacy. It is always good to 'see' you anytime, anywhere. Hope you enjoy the party. Lacy Suiter: I will not be as fast as was chip so it will take me a little longer. Avagene Moore: Do you have something else to add, Lacy? Lacy Suiter: FEMA's RR directorate fully appreciates the forum Lacy Suiter: and would be able to express ourselves more so if I had practice more. Lacy Suiter: The fall offers us several opportunities Lacy Suiter: to exchange information and share concerns. Lacy Suiter: The balance of 99 will be spent preparing and responding to multi disaster and expected hazards Lacy Suiter: and they all conflict with each other Lacy Suiter: droughts, hurricanes that have not happened but surely will Lacy Suiter: tornadoes in places no one expects Lacy Suiter: flooding continues to be all most difficult hazard Lacy Suiter: and we move on towards Y2K for which we only hope we know what we do not know that we don't know. Lacy Suiter: So thanks for the invite and I will try to be more pro Lacy Suiter: proficient next time... Avagene Moore: Thank you, Lacy, for your insight. You did just fine. I appreciate you being here today. Means a lot! Lacy Suiter: Your welcome Avagene Moore: And now, we have a few words from another friend -- Senator Fred D Thompson, R-TN. Fred and I both call Lawrenceburg TN home and we went to high school together. Senator Thompson graciously provided the following statement on a very serious subject that I will share with you. Senator Thompson has a "good news - bad news" message on Safety from the Threats of Terrorism and Proliferation. Avagene Moore: "Congratulations, EIIP Virtual Forum on your second anniversary! Thanks so much for your patience -- this has been a busy week for me and my staff. The following is a statement for your site today: Avagene Moore: "Most of America's enemies could not even begin to match our military might. Instead, they are turning to unconventional methods, such as chemical, biological, or terrorist attack. Avagene Moore: "Recent bombings, such as the one in Oklahoma City, indicate that this is not an issue confined only to foreign threats or to major American cities. States and localities must face the threat of terrorism and consider a 'homeland defense.' Avagene Moore: "The issue of integrating local agencies that have expertise in combating weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is receiving considerable time and attention on Capitol Hill. I have mixed news to report. Avagene Moore: "The good news is that the dangers these threats pose are on the agenda; local and federal leaders are working together to integrate the organizations that strive to protect Americans from these threats and to use our resources most effectively. Avagene Moore: "The bad news is that we're not there yet. Avagene Moore: "Fortunately for us, three Tennessee cities -- Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville -- all have been designated as recipients of what's called "Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Preparedness Funding." These federal funds are specifically designated for domestic preparedness at the local level -- to help state and local law enforcement receive training and equipment to respond to chemical and biological attack. Avagene Moore: "As Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, I have discussed these issues at length with the ranking member, Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT). He and I agree that improving safety from the threats of terrorism and proliferation should be a goal for the Committee, and we hope to address integration of resources in our Committee." Avagene Moore: Our sincere thanks to Senator Thompson and his staff. I will formally thank him for his statement. I now call upon Amy for her remarks and guidance that will lead us to more festive activities. Amy Sebring: Thank you Avagene, and thanks for all the encouraging words we have received. Amy Sebring: We have a little more serious business to attend to before we get to the party fun ... Amy Sebring: It is my pleasant duty to acknowledge the contributions made by very many people who have helped the EIIP in our second year. Please hold your applause until we get through it. Amy Sebring: First, I would like to send a big thank you to Isabel McCurdy who has been with us for two years. She volunteers her time, and every week, she edits two transcripts into a readable form. Amy Sebring: Next, we have had some other volunteers and interns who have worked with us -- Jennifer Suter and Lindsey Burke from the University of North Texas Emergency Management Program ... Amy Sebring: and Lori Wieber is now editing our monthly newsletter. Finally, Kellye Junchaya has been doing a terrific job for us in support of the FEMA Community and Family Preparedness Program. Amy Sebring: The next category is our speakers. By our reckoning, we have had 125 presenters this past year. Amy Sebring: These individuals probably give at least 4 hours apiece to prepare, rehearse, and present. Most of them are very busy folks ... Amy Sebring: and we are extremely grateful for their contribution. Will you take a moment to look over our 1998-99 Hall of Fame at http://www.emforum.org/vforum/990818.htm#FAME ? Amy Sebring: Some of these folks are here with us today. Please shoot them a private message to say thank you, if you recognize them from a session you attended. Amy Sebring: Next, we must thank our host, National Fire and Rescue Magazine who donate the server and work with us. Many, many thanks to Pat West and Monty Gearhart. Amy Sebring: Finally, YOU are an essential part of the EIIP. Thanks to all of you who have attended sessions, or participated in some way. Thanks especially to those who have become Partners ... Amy Sebring: and thanks to those that have pledged their time to make the upcoming year another successful one, that we hope we will be celebrating next August. Amy Sebring: http://www.emforum.org/vforum/990818.htm#PLEDGES Amy Sebring: We will honor those at our next birthday party who have successfully completed their pledges. It is not too late to pledge. We need 100 and we are about a third of the way there. Amy Sebring: I just received a pledge from Lloyd Bokman who had to leave ... Avagene Moore: (Wonderful!) Amy Sebring: For Lloyd ... //bell http://www.emforum.org/pledge.wav Amy Sebring: You can get to the pledge form by clicking on the Gift banner when it comes around. Amy Sebring: Ok, now please lend your applause to all the folks we have just mentioned! Amy Sebring: