Emergency managers, business executives, first responders and others interested in homeland security efforts are encouraged to attend. This conference is the culmination of efforts by professionals from many backgrounds to pull together the latest information from around the world on how we can best work together to secure our nation. We are very excited about this program because it presents an opportunity to start conversations between professionals that may never have had the chance to previously work together.
The initiative started three years ago when the Denver UASI Training Committee sought to enhance the region’s training program by incorporating an international training component that provided the area’s first responders, emergency managers and homeland security professionals with the opportunity to train and learn from their international peers. Working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), two teams of Denver area professionals from the law enforcement, fire service, emergency management, health and medical and transportation disciplines went to Israel in 2009 to train and interact with their counterparts. While in Israel, the Denver area travelers were exposed to tactical, strategic and incident command strategies during a dynamic and extensive immersion training program from professionals that have extensive experience with terrorism incidents. During these visits, the Denver students were deeply impacted by what they learned.
The Shared Strategies for Homeland Security concept was born from those experiences in Israel. Realizing that many of their peers generally do not have the opportunity to travel to Israel, or elsewhere, for an immersion training program, the participants wanted to create an experience in which they could gather to engage in conversation, briefings and the like with those international professionals. This enables a unique one-on-one experience. Since then, however, this initiative has grown into a forum in which speakers from other countries, FEMA, the DHS, state and local governments, national governor's associations and the private sector present emerging topics in homeland security that covers four distinct tracks: first responders; health and medical; business resiliency and citizen preparedness/resiliency. These presentations will cover topic areas from FEMA and the DHS to private sector and community-based homeland security strategies.
The conference’s overall theme has evolved into an opportunity for the Denver Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to bring together members of the public as well as private and nonprofit sectors, to exchange valuable information and build key relationships with the long-term benefit of preventing terrorism. Earlier this year, Denver hosted the Biennial of the Americas, a month-long celebration through discussion, presentations and exhibits about the art, politics, and culture of the Americas. The Shared Strategies for Homeland Security conference continues that international theme of discussing emerging ideas, identifying best practices and developing global social connections for the safety and security of our respective countries.
Like what happened with the trainees who went to Israel, we intend this conference to be a catalyst for future collaboration and sharing of ideas. We are creating an atmosphere that invites interaction with some notable professionals at all levels of government, business and the community. We want people to leave this program having been challenged, and with new global connections that brings the international enterprise of homeland security a little closer to home.
The Shared Strategies for Homeland Security conference will be held in downtown Denver at the Sheraton Hotel from Dec. 13-16. Program information can be found at www.sharedstrategiesconference.com. A conference blog has also been set up at www.sharedstrategiesblog.com where you can share information and learn more about the experiences of the Denver area travelers.
Dan Alexander is the director of the Denver Mayor's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
