FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 21, 2016
2016 SOUTH TEXAS HURRICANE CONFERENCE MARCH 23-24
An All Hazards Approach to Preparing for Emergencies
MCALLEN – The fourth annual South Texas Hurricane Conference will focus on an all hazards approach to preparing for emergencies. The two day conference will be held Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24 at the McAllen Convention Center.
In the past year, the Rio Grande Valley has faced numerous emergency management challenges, most notably the heavy rains and flooding we experienced this past summer and fall. Working as a regional community we were able to work together, share resources and help our residents.
This year, the conference is split into six educational tracks: Public Health and Hospitals; Emergency Response; Law Enforcement; Educational Institutions; Faith Based and Non-Profits; and COOP Continuity of Operations Planning for Business.Presenters include representatives from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, National Weather Service, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Speakers at the opening session include McAllen Mayor Jim Darling; Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia; Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management Nim Kidd, Department of State Health Services Health Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt; Department of State Health Services Director of Community Preparedness Section Bruce Clements, MPH; Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent for the RGV Sector Manuel Padilla, Jr.; and Hidalgo County Health & Human Service Chief Administrative Officer Eddie Olivarez.
The annual conference is organized by Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, Hidalgo County Emergency Management, the City of McAllen and the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) with primary funding from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Press packets will be available from Hidalgo County Public Affairs before the news conference.
DETAILS
WHO: Hidalgo County and local officials and emergency management experts
WHAT: News Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 10 – 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: McAllen Convention Center – Ballroom Lobby
700 Convention Center Blvd. (West entrance, facing Ware Road)
