Fw: Disaster Response Preparedness - Training - Dec 5

["GERALD BRACEY" <gbracey1@verizon.net>]

ToI've just finished reading America's Report Card by John McNally.  Hard to describe but perhaps approximated as a fusion of 1984 and your favorite Tom Robbins novel.  Not so black as Orwell, not quite so bizarre as Robbins, but plenty odd and funny.  The protagonist works for America's Report Card at the National Testing Center (allusions to NAEP and ETS hardly accidental).  He scores writing samples and reveals how scorers cheat in order to receive high reliability ratings (the author actually was a sample scorer).  That's just the start.  The novel is totally anti-NCLB, and even more totally anti-W (can't reveal the climactic revelation about him without spoiling it).  Unlike 1984, it is hopeful--maybe.

Given that experience, it seemed almost appropriate that I should receive an announcement from Homeland Security for the "Fundamentals of Psychological Preparedness for Human Remains Exposure (HRE) Workshop" to be conducted near here in December.

The announcement follows.

Also can't help touting a movie seen today at a movie club, "Sweet Land."  Best I've seen in years.  A Norwegian woman, sent as a bride by a couple to their son, arrives in Southern Minnesota in 1920, except that she's German and some of the locals don't even realize World War I is over.  She speaks no English and German is forbidden in the community.  The stereotyping makes the movie germane to the current situation, but you can appreciate the beauty of the movie--it is stunning visually as well as in terms of story--only by seeing it.  It's a small, independent movie shot in 24 days in Southern Minnesota, written and directed by an Egyptian-American man from Minnesota.  If you have the chance, don't miss it.  It opens here October 17, probably on similar dates in other large cities.




----- Original Message ----- 
From: Government Best Practices Training Series 
To: gbracey1@verizon.net 
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 5:40 PM
Subject: Disaster Response Preparedness - Training - Dec 5


To: gbracey1@verizon.net     *** Also see... Emergency Preparedness and Response Conference (For People with Disabilities, the Elderly, Pediatrics, and Animals)
Washington, DC, Dec. 13-14, 2006 For details go to www.homelanddefensejournal.com ***

To subscribe to your complimentary copy of Homeland Defense Journal and IT*Security & Infrastructure Protection Magazine, visit our home page at www.homelanddefensejournal.com.

Special Announcement: The Integrated Physical Security Handbook is now available at www.physicalsecurityhandbook.com. First print sold out. Second printing just arrived. Published by Homeland Defense Journal and written by security, physical security, and architects this book and on-line reference library provide step-by-step guidance to building and facility managers in government and private enterprise. Sample chapters and details on content are at www.physicalsecurityhandbook.com .

Homeland Defense Journal Workshop 

Fundamentals of Psychological Preparedness for Human Remains Exposure (HRE) Workshop 

Preparing for the Worst 

December 5, 2006 

Market*Access Training Center
4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1003 (10th Floor)
Arlington, VA 22203 

Registration Time: 7:30 AM, Program Starts: 8:15 AM, Wrap-up: 4:00 PM

Interesting addition to the literary of disaster preparedness materials- Previous Attendee

Previous students' comments:  -- Thought provoking.  Excellent, sensitive speaker, Tough subject... superb presentation, I am far more ready now than I would have been without this workshop.  Thank you. -- 

The following additional training courses are also available: (For details go to www.homelanddefensejournal.com)

• CARVER Methodology - Target Analysis & Vulnerability Assessment: An Interactive Workshop on Conducting Facility 
Vulnerability Assessments, October 17-19, 2006, Falls Church, VA and December 12-14, 2006, Cincinnati, OH
• Physical Security for Facilities Workshop, November 7-8, 2006, Atlanta, GA
• GIS in Financial and Electronic Crimes Networking Breakfast, November 8, 2006, Washington, DC
• Emergency Preparedness for Government Facilities Workshop, November 9-10, 2006, Atlanta, GA
• Crisis Management Workshop, November 14-15, 2006, Arlington, VA
• Physical and Critical Infrastructure Resilience Conference, November 28, 2006. Arlington, VA
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Conference (For People with Disabilities, the Elderly, Pediatrics, and Animals), December 13-14, 2006, Arlington, VA
• Disaster Recovery Conference, January 31, 2007, Arlington, VA

About this Workshop

Media coverage of recent global events such as hurricane Katrina, the December 2004 Tsunami, and continuing global terrorist attacks drive home the grim reality that with each disaster, accident or attack, thousands of people can lose their lives leaving behind a gruesome landscape for someone to “clean up”. Often the task of retrieving human remains and intact bodies falls to specialized teams or to the responder community; ie, law enforcement, fire and rescue. However, events producing large numbers of fatalities quite often require the additional use of volunteer labor. There are also those who are not directly involved in handling remains but are nevertheless exposed to such sights because of their presence or involvement in the disaster. Aid workers and the media are two such groups who may also be impacted by these scenes. 

Fundamentals of Psychological Preparedness for Human Remains Exposure (HRE) will teach individuals and organizations fundamental aspects of preparing psychologically for handling human remains in the event of a disaster in their area. This workshop will help you identify psychological, emotional and physiological risk factors for handling human remains and help you create your own strategies and training program for your organization.

The workshop will be taught by Rick Keller, RN, CS, USA Retired, who has over 25 years of experience in mental health and 15 years of experience in disaster mental health and combat stress operations. He has lectured extensively around the world. Mr. Keller is a subject matter expert on the psychological consequences of exposure to human remains and establishing and maintaining peer support programs for organizations working in hostile or harsh environments. He recently served on two US Army Surgeon General task forces to assess and develop behavioral heath issues for soldiers serving in Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

WARNING: Portions of this workshop include graphic photos and videos which can be disturbing for some individuals. Be certain you are up to the task. Participants will receive handouts and a reference list for further independent study. This program is not intended to train individuals or organizations for the operational aspects of retrieving human remains.

A Homeland Defense Journal -- Certificate of Completion -- will be provided to all attendees upon conclusion of the workshop.

Who Should Attend

- City, County, State, and Federal Emergency Planners 
- Disaster Aid Relief Agency Planners and Staff 
- Clinicians and First Responders 
- Medical Professionals 
- Volunteer and Professional Emergency Relief Workers 
- Military Leaders Involved in Civilian Relief Missions 

Previous Attendees Include

- 49th Quartermaster Group, Mortuary Affairs NCOIC 
- AMEDD Center & School, NCOIC, Occupational Therapy Branch 
- Arlington, County, Virginia, Community Outreach & Education 
- Booz Allen Hamilton, Healthcare Consultant 
- Boston Medical Center, Administrator 
- City of Cleveland - Mental Health & Substance Abuse Unit, Program Director 
- Communication Technologies, Inc., Manager, Life Sciences 
- D.C. Dept. of Health, SNS Coordinator 
- Denver, CO Fire Department, Physician 
- Department of Mental Health, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse, Director of Acute and Emergency Services 
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Director, Homeless Veterans Program 
- Department of the Interior, Office of Wildland Fire, Coordination, Program Analyst - Public Affairs 
- Fairfax County, VA, Mobile Crisis Unit 
- FBI Academy - Behavioral Science Unit, Clinical Forensic Psychologist 
- Fleet and Family Support Center, Counselor 
- Hartford Hospital, Bioterrorism Program Manager 
- Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Policy Advisor 
- Joint Task Force Civil Support, NORTHCOM, Military Medical Intelligence & Interagency Officer 
- Monroe County New York, Disaster Mental Health 
- NASA, Director, Occupational Health 
- NASA, Emergency Preparedness Officer 
- Oakland Co., MI Medical Examiner, Family Counselor 
- OR-2/NDMS, PMHNP 
- Prince William Co. CSB, Therapist II 
- Prince William Co. CSB, LCSW 
- Prince William Co. CSB, MR - Case Manager 
- San Bernardino Co., Behavioral Health Disaster Safety Coordinator 
- San Louis Obispo Co., CA Mental Health, Disaster Coordinator 
- Seattle/King County Public Health, Mass Fatalities & Family Assistance Center Program Manager 
- Social Solutions International, Director of Social Initiatives 
- South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, Region 7 Community Services 
- South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, Social Work Consultant/Emergency Response -Coordinator 
- Texas Army National Guard, Major 
- US EPA, Veterinary Medical Officer 
- US Navy, Liasion 
- US Navy, Chief 
- US Navy Health Clinic, Clinical Psychologist 
- USAARL, Major DET CDR 

About Your Instructor

Rick Keller, RN, CS, USA Retired, has over 25 years of experience in mental health and 15 years of experience in disaster mental health and combat stress operations. He has lectured extensively around the world. He has presented to the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy, US Army War College, Royal Marine Commando Training Center and the National Health Service Trust, Great Britain, to name a few. He has consulted on disaster mental health issues to the Honduran Ministry of Health, Tacoma Washington Fire Department and the City of Pinehurst North Carolina in preparation for the US Open Golf tournament. He has been published multiple times and is considered to be a subject matter expert on the psychological consequences of exposure to human remains and establishing and maintaining peer support programs for organizations working in hostile or harsh environments. He recently served on two US Army Surgeon General task forces to assess and develop behavioral heath issues for soldiers serving in Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Agenda

7:30 – 8:15am
Registration / Coffee & Pastries

8:15 – 8:45am
Welcome and Introduction by Rick Keller, Workshop Facilitator

8:45 – 10:15am
The Stress Response

10:15 – 10:30 am 
Networking Break

10:30– 12:00pm
The Psychological and Emotional Aspects of Exposure to Human Remains

12:00 – 1:00pm
Lunch on your own

1:00 – 1:30pm
Overview of Peer Support and the Royal Marine Combat Stress Model 

1:30 – 1:45pm
Networking Break

1:45 – 2:30pm
Developing and Implementing a Training Program for Your Agency

2:30 – 4:00pm
Wrap up and Discussion

Registration Charges

Industry: $295 per person 
Small Business: $245 per person 
Government: $195 per person 

Registration Options 

[1] Register on-line at www.marketaccess.org. 
[2] Phone Katie Smith at (703) 807-2758
[3] E-mail Katie Smith at ksmith@marketaccess.org 
[5] Mail the Registration Form provided below to:

Homeland Defense Journal
4301 Wilson Blvd. #1003
Arlington, VA 22203

Location Information

The workshop will be held in the Market*Access Training Center in the NRECA Building at 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite #1003 (10th floor), Arlington, VA 22203. Public parking at the facility is available for $9 a day. The NRECA Building is just one block from the Ballston Metro Station in the orange line.

Contact Us 

For registration information, please contact Katie Smith, (703) 807-2758 

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---- REGISTRATION FORM ---- 

Fundamentals of Psychological Preparedness for Human Remains Exposure (HRE) Workshop: Preparing for the Worst 

December 5, 2006 

Attendee name:

Title: 

Company/Agency:

Address:

City, State, and Zip Code:

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Training Coordinator E-mail Address:

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REGISTRATION CHARGES (CIRCLE ONE): 

Industry: $295 per person 
Small Business: $245 per person 
Government: $195 per person 

Method of Payment: 

Company Check (payable to Market*Access Int'l) – Tax ID: 541851852
Credit Card
Government P.O. (please attach)
Type of Credit Card (check one):

____Visa____MasterCard____American Express

Card Number: ____________________________________

Exp. Date:____________________

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Signature (required): ___________________________________________________

Please fax this form, complete with payment information, to 
(703) 807-2728 or mail it with your payment to:

Homeland Defense Journal, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1003, Arlington, VA 22203

If you have questions about registration/payment, please call Katie Smith at (703) 807-2758. Thank you 

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