Disaster Response Conference, March 27-28

I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations West will host the Hurricane Sandy and Defense Support of Civil Authorities disaster response conference, March 27-28, 
Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general, I MEF, will deliver opening remarks to kick-off the two-day conference discussing the roles, responsibilities and relationships essential to connect military and local responders during a catastrophic regional humanitarian crisis. 
More than 300 major local, state, federal and military leaders will be attendance. Notable participants include members of the San Francisco Fleet Week Association, Marine Forces North, Commander Third Fleet, Expeditionary Strike Group-3, US Northern Command, US Army and National Guard, FEMA, Los Angeles, San Diego and New York emergency management agencies. A full list of participants is listed below.
The conference will feature a static display of unique equipment and vehicles to the Marine Corps; while leaders will participate in a series of discussions on the roles and command responsibilities of local, state and federal entities during a crisis. 
Collaboration between agencies involved will create a deeper understanding of how to interoperate and educate participants on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities. Within hours of a potential disaster, Marines and sailors from the San Diego region could augment National Guard personnel in response to a crisis, utilizing unique amphibious capabilities from the land, air, and sea to provide heavy equipment, aircraft, logistical and personnel support to assist relief efforts. 
In March of 2012, I MEF hosted the first Defense Support of Civil Authorities disaster table top exercise at Camp Pendleton with more than 75 emergency management representatives from city, state, and federal agencies in attendance. The exercise involved a scenario-based 7.9 earthquake that struck the San Andreas Fault-line and affected San Francisco to Los Angeles, jeopardizing roads, bridges, and water resources. 
I MEF will develop standard operating procedures and plans to respond to a regional crisis under the framework of DSCA in the coming months. 
 
 
Complete Press Release is displayed below.  If you are having problem viewing the PDF please click <a href="/Portals/68/Docs/Press%20Release/I%20MEF%202013%20Disaster%20Conf%20Release.pdf">I MEF 2013 Disaster Conf Release.pdf</a> .
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