2024 Spring Meeting
The PAVOAD Spring meeting was held in conjunction with the 2024 Keystone 6 National Mass Care Exercise, on Thursday, May 23, 2024., at Shippensburg University. Routine business was conducted. Photos and recent success stories of our work together were presented, highlighting the value of PAVOAD. Nick Stoops described PEMA’s new DRAP (Disaster Recovery Assistance Program). Michelle Ufner and Nick Stoops described a plan for the Annual Dinner and Meeting at the KEMA Conference in October. They are asking members and partners to supply photos and information on success stories that will be added to a presentation to be shown at the October meeting.
2024 Summer Meeting – August 9, 2024
Our annual summer meeting of the general membership of the PA VOAD was held on August 9, 2024 at 9 AM. The meeting minutes will be available soon.
2024 Annual Meeting
The PAVOAD Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday evening, October 20, 2024, at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, in conjunction with the Keystone Emergency Management Association Conference.
Pictures that tell the story of recent successes of our work together are needed for a video presentation. Please send your pictures and your stories to PAVOAD Board member, Michelle Ufner, [email protected].
The Keynote Speaker will be Zach Wolgemuth, the Church World Service Director of Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery. He is a graduate of Millersville University and served as the Director of Programs at the York County Food Bank, executive for the United Church of Christ National Disaster Ministries, and Associate Director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. Zach has been a national leader for NVOAD, serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors. He was recently elected as the Chair of the Migration, Displacement, and Refugee Committee of NVOAD. He believes that networking and relationship building is critical to our collaboration and work. Zach believes that disaster recovery and response begins and ends locally and that everyone should have a voice in their recovery. Therefore, relationships, solidarity and presence are at the heart of CWS’ Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Programs. He is frequently quoted as saying, “It’s not always what we do, but how we do it and who we take along with us, that are most important.”
Registration is open for the KEMA Conference now. If you intend to attend the PA VOAD dinner and meeting ONLY, you will not have to register for the conference, please simply notify PAVOAD Secretary, Greg Crossley: (cell: 724-323-5824 email: [email protected]).
The 7th Annual Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Conference (#KEMACon2024)
The registration for the Keystone Emergency Management Association’s 7th Annual Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Conference (#KEMACon2024) is open!!! It will be held at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona from October 20th to 22nd, 2024. Embracing the powerful theme, “Breakthrough to Excellence, Beyond all Limits,” this conference promises an engaging and dynamic experience. It’s your gateway to a world of diverse educational presentations that will unveil the latest in concepts, technology, processes, and evidence-based practices within the profession of emergency management and homeland security. You review all the Conference offerings here. If you have questions about the Conference, please contact the conference chair at [email protected].