When disaster strikes, the resources that must respond immediately – as well as manage long term recovery – are the agencies and organizations that are closest to the affected area.  A June 16 and 17 Community Disaster Response Symposium will help community entities learn more about their respective roles in disaster response – what they need to do to be prepared, who else has roles to play, how they fit into the big picture and how to best carry out their designated roles.   Brenda Phillips, PhD, who has extensive experience as a researcher, lecturer, author and volunteer in disaster response is the keynote speaker.  Breakout sessions will address the roles of faith-based organizations, the Multi Agency Resource Center, volunteer and donations management and opportunities to network with representatives from other agencies who share similar roles.

First day workshop sessions will be held at Kansas Wesleyan University.  Participants will practice their disaster response roles on the second day via an exercise to be held at Crisis City.  Registration is $25.00 and includes lunch on both days.  Registration deadline is Friday, June 6 via www.ks.train.org.  Participants are requested to complete the introductory Incident Command System (ICS 100b) course via KS Train prior to attending the Symposium.

The Symposium has been developed through a collaborative effort of the area American Red Cross, Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina Regional Health Center, Saline County Emergency Management, Saline County Health Department and The Volunteer Connection.  For more information, contact The Volunteer Connection at 785-823-3128 or www.volunteerncks.org.