A new report released will help set the stage for regional emergency management and homeland security coordination among Mid-Atlantic states. The 2004 All Hazards Forum (AHF) Report is a first-of-its-kind effort that highlights best practices employed by each state in the Mid-Atlantic for all hazards planning, response and recovery.
The report captures best practices and topical sessions on critical emergency management and homeland security topics at the inaugural 2004 forum. The All Hazards Forum is a grass roots, regional effort created to address "all hazard" issues of special relevance to the Mid-Atlantic region. This is the first document of its kind produced for the benefit of public and private stakeholders, industry and state government emergency management and homeland security professionals.
The 2004 AHF report highlights strategic initiatives, state funding priorities, funding sources, governance structures, success factors, and lessons learned by all of the participating states -- information that is not currently available from any other source.
"Making Maryland and the contiguous Mid-Atlantic states safer requires leveraging the collective assets of the emergency management and homeland security communities in a manner that improves the preparedness of all," said Maryland Governor, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. "The 2004 All Hazards Forum Report is the only document that provides critical information to state and local delegates so they are better informed about effective techniques and tactics employed by their peers. It is my hope that this important work will facilitate enhanced cooperation and information sharing across state lines," he said.
The 2004 AHF drew more than 300 delegates from across the Mid-Atlantic for the first time under one venue to explore all hazards planning at a local and regional level. AHF satisfied a critical need among state, local and private sector decision-makers for networking, information-sharing and it provided a unique opportunity for industry to expose their services and solutions to a large regional audience of homeland security and emergency management directors, planners, and practitioners. More than 80 corporate exhibitors participated in the Forum.
The inaugural 2004 AHF was hosted by the state of Maryland on December 1 and 2, 2004 in Baltimore. Participating states included North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, and Florida were also represented.
This year's forum will be held Tuesday, October 25 through Friday, October 28, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Further information on the 2005 AHF is available at www.allhazardsforum.com.
