Changing Attitudes Towards Public Engagement in Disaster Management

The EIIP is pleased to host a 'live chat' presentation and interactive group discussion November 28, 2007, beginning at 12:00 Noon Eastern time (please convert to your local time). Our topic will be Changing Attitudes Towards Public Engagement in Disaster Management. The premise we will examine in a group discussion is that disaster management is the responsibility of each and every community member, and that by engaging the public in all phases, overall capabilities are enhanced. To achieve this will require a change in attitudes, not only among the public, but first and foremost, among professional emergency managers and civic leaders. Ten questions have been posted to stimulate the discussion, and participants are encouraged to review them in advance. See
http://www.emforum.org/vforum/071128.htm#QUESTIONS.

Our guest will be Gunnar J. Kuepper, Chief of Operations with Emergency & Disaster Management, Inc. in Los Angeles, California. This independent agency advises private, non-profit, and governmental organizations throughout the world in comprehensive emergency/crisis management and business continuity programs. Among his many professional activities, Gunnar serves as a Principal on the NFPA Standard 1600 Technical Committee and as President, Region IX, International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).

Please make plans to join us in the EIIP Virtual Forum www.emforum.org – as always, feel free to extend this invitation to your colleagues. Please see the Background Page for links to related materials and instructions, and if this will be your first time to participate, please check your connection at least a day in advance by clicking on the Chat Login link at the top left.

This educational opportunity is provided by the Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP). If interested in partnering with the EIIP, please see the "Partnership for You" link on the EIIP Web site www.emforum.org . We look forward to seeing you online next week!