“Back to Basics” is the theme for this year’s state conference for Local Emergency Planning Committees being held in Manhattan. David Whitfell with the Kansas Division of Emergency Management was pleased with the nearly 100 in attendance, representing counties from across the state. Whitfell tells KMAN “passing on lessons learned” is what it’s all about.
Harry Heintzelman is also with KDEM and he was pleased with the turn-out and subjects covered, focusing on hazardous materials.
And while we hear from them during emergency situations right here in Riley and Pottawatomie counties, Wednesday Emergency Management Directors Pat Collins and Chris Trudo were taking part in the statewide conference in Manhattan. Collins from Riley County indicates the conference serves as a good networking tool and says he always learns something..
Pottawatomie county Emergency Management director Chris Trudo also appreciates the networking. Train derailment was discussed with a “Lessons Learned” presentation from a North Dakota official–Trudo knows about that all too well with three cases, luckily only involving coal, since he’s been in Pottawatomie County.
Riley County Emergency Management Coordinator Laurie Harrison somewhat jokingly refers to “begging, borrowing, and stealing” when referring to the networking that goes on during the annual statewide conference. Riley County LEPC member Steve Broccolo, who also serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator at K-State, praises the networking and learning new techniques.
Whitfell with with the Technologies Hazards Section at KDEM was impressed with the presentations made at the two day state LEPC Conference held in Manhattan. Also present for the event was Bob Stamey, Kansas Citizen Corp Coordinator with KDEM. Stamey stresses he was just there to talk to representatives from Local Emergency Planning committees about Citizen Corp programs.
