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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Annual emergency/disaster response training conference designates “Texas Strong” theme

McALLEN – The ninth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference will be held Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas.

The STAHC is the second largest training conference of its kind in the state of Texas and is the only conference offered at no charge to invited participants. More than 3,000 individuals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions are expected to attend.

The conference is open to local, state or federal personnel who respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or man-made.

The conference follows the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in organization and execution. NIMS is a standardized approach to incident management developed by the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate coordination between all responders.

“In this day and age, we must take every opportunity to train, not only our first responders, but also the support staff, in the unified command structure. During an emergency, NIMS ensures that crucial information is communicated,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez. “All you have to do is watch the news to know that emergencies can come in any form and from any source.”

The conference provides leaders, decision makers, healthcare clinicians, preparedness professionals and first responders with opportunities for networking, resource sharing, scholarly exchange and continuing education. Attendees will receive continuing education credits through Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services (TEEX) and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“TEEX is honored to be a sponsor of the 2023 South Texas All Hazards Conference. The relationships we have with the agencies across South Texas, the collaboration to accomplish goals and the quality of the conference programs will indeed keep Texas Strong! Thank you for all that you do,” said David Coatney, Director of TEEX.

The theme “Texas Strong” represents the quick, unfailing and efficient response to emergencies and natural disasters throughout the state of Texas, not only by those in law enforcement, first responders and other corresponding agencies, but also by everyday who assist their fellow Texans whenever disaster strikes. According to Chief W. Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas has more disasters than any other U.S. state.

The conference is split into five educational tracks: Public Health; Emergency Management; Law Enforcement; Leadership; and Public Works;. Organizers are currently confirming speakers for the event.

More than 65 presenters will come from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, U. S. Custom & Border Protection, National Weather Service, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Public Safety, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Union Pacific Railroad, Coast Guard, FBI, FEMA and other federal, state, local and non-profit agencies.

Also occurring during the STAHC will be Immunization Summit, an opportunity for immunization leaders and health care providers to network and learn how to address immunization barriers and improve immunization rates.

Some confirmed conference topics include: Pandemic Response; Human Trafficking; Responder Health; Agroterrorism: Threats and Response; and Public Works and Emergency Response. The tabletop training session will be open to general managers, editors, news directors and reporters, publishers and organization spokespersons. Members of the media wishing to attend this session must register as conference participants, in addition to requesting press credentials.

Registration for the conference is open to anyone from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions who responds to emergencies at conference registration link, including media: https://whova.com/portal/registration/stahc_202303/.

Attendees will also need to register through TEEX to receive their continuing education credit. Register at https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/?MO=mClassRegistration&D=FP&C=XTN091&S=8.

Call the Help Desk at (979) 458-6833, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, please call (956) 318-2426.

Hotels located at the McAllen Convention Center Campus offering special rates for the STAHC include La Quinta, Embassy Suites, and Cambria. Other properties providing special rates are Springhill Suites; Hilton Garden Inn; Radisson Hotel;. Please request the STAHC conference rate when making reservations.

Due to NIMS protocol, the exhibit hall, workshops and training sessions will be closed to members of the media and the public. However, news professionals are invited to the opening ceremony, plenary sessions and news conference on Wednesday, March 22 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.