Program Agenda
Weather & Environmental Hazards –
The Challenges of Awareness, Research, and Education in NJ
Friday, November 14, 2008
KU Symposium: WE CARE about NJ!
Who should attend and why…
Professional Communities (industry, state/federal agencies, academia, transit authorities): examine the state of the art response to weather and environmental hazards from a management perspective as well as human reactions and responses, explore the use of varied technologies and communications methods in the field, understand the role of awareness and education activities in the preparation and delivery of plans to respond by target communities, assess capabilities of response and community actions, and employ best practices of interaction.
Educators (teachers, superintendents, principals, athletic departments/programs, advocacy groups, community leaders): understand multiple hazards and threats in New Jersey, particularly as they relate to education and learning; work with professionals in hands-on and demonstrations of the principles and the cause and effect of hazardous conditions, engage in workshops to explore hazard response and safety, and learn activities for use with K-12 students and the general public. Learn about hazards associated with school environments and what actions could and should be taken during hazardous conditions.
Students (middle and high school, community college, university, graduate students): become more aware of your environmental surroundings and how these are observed, measured, and analyzed to understand and predict hazardous conditions, use technology in the analysis of hazards and demonstrate scientific principles learned in school, learn about responses to hazards and how emergencies are handled by professionals, explore careers in emergency management and the environmental and related sciences.
Commercial & Private Sector (insurance, airports, energy providers, malls/department stores, casinos, legal counsel/forensics, environmental consultants, storm and hazard shelters providers): weather and environmental hazards are frequent and varied throughout New Jersey and require an integrated response from the commercial and private sectors. Understand the role of agencies and officials in the management and preparation for hazards and how this relates to your policies, approaches, products, and services you provide to the public.
Indoor/Outdoor Venues & Stadiums (amusement parks, athletic fields, professional sports, motor speedways, golf courses, horse tracks, little league games, soccer and lacrosse, movie theaters, hotels and motels, camp grounds, and others): people and staff are susceptible to a wide variety of weather and environmental hazards. These include pre and post event time and require event organizers to have adequate response plans and drills as related to emergency responders and local/county/state and federal oversight.
Vendors & Exhibitors: The symposium provides an important opportunity to engage professional audiences as well as educators, students, and the general public in advancing knowledge of weather and environmental hazards, their detection, and planning responses for safety and health purposes. Display of your products and equipment, as well as online programs and access, will be highlighted. These may be used to improve personal responsiveness to hazards.
General Public: learn more about weather and environmental hazards as they affect you and New Jersey while exploring what technologies and methods are used by professionals and state and federal agencies to monitor, warn, and respond to hazardous conditions; learn what you can do to promote both personal safety and community preparedness year-round; and learn what tools and technologies are available on the market for your protection.
Emergency Managers/Responders: More information to come.
Social Workers: More information to come.
Museums & Learning Resource Groups: In a few hours, expand and update your knowledge on areas of current research regarding emergency management, weather hazards, and how weather events affect us all. Various talks and discussions of interest will certainly fuel ideas for how segments of the symposium can enhance your own learning and science centers.