The South Central Mountain Regional Task Force will host its Second Annual Fall Educational Symposium on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at the Blair County Convention Center. This symposium will bring experts from the agricultural, communications/information services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and health and medical sectors together with first responders from across the eight county region to explore issues pertaining to the health, safety, and well-being of all Pennsylvanians. The conference will build upon the success of last year’s inaugural forum, and will provide an excellent opportunity for participants to expand their knowledge base while networking with colleagues from other agencies.

Subject matter experts will present seminars on a variety of timely and critical topics ranging from agroterrorism to H1N1 Lessons Learned, and will provide participants with the latest information necessary to maintain security within the region. The event will feature a Keynote Address by motivational speaker Bobby Smith, Ph.D., a former Louisiana State Trooper who was shot and blinded in the line of duty. Dr. Smith is the author of two books, and his motivational training seminars speak to issues of courage and teamwork across the continuum of emergency response.

Additionally, specialized response equipment from the region purchased in part by U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds, will be showcased at the event.

The SCMRTF is of one of nine regional task forces statewide, and provides All-Hazards planning, mitigation, response and recovery services to the citizens of the region comprised of Bedford, Blair, Centre, Fulton Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, and Snyder counties. All aspects of emergency preparedness are addressed by the organization, and the Task Force supports and promotes the efforts of local responders by providing opportunities for training, exercises, and resource procurement. Emergency Management Coordinators from each of the eight counties serve on the South Central Mountain Regional Task Force Executive Board, which is lead by Chair David Cubbison of Bedford County.

For further information regarding the Fall Educational Symposium or to schedule a time on site with a Task Force Public Information Officer, please contact:

Dan Boyles, Blair County Emergency Management Coordinator
dboyles@atlanticbbn.net
814-940-5905