The PAVOAD General Spring Meeting was held on April 8, 2025 at PEMA Headquarters in Harrisburg. After regular business was conducted, we heard these presentations from:
Marti Shabloski, Tioga County EMA – Debby Long Term Recovery
Director Randy Padfield, PEMA
Matthew McGeary and Molly Dougherty on PEMA Activation, Collaboration, and Resource Management
Emily Aubele, PA 211
Mel Luckenbaugh, Community Action Agencies of PA
Larry West, PEMA, Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP)
Marti Shabloski, Tioga County EMA – Debby Long Term Recovery
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The PAVOAD summer check-in virtual meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10 AM. Watch for more details.
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The Keystone Emergency Management Association (KEMA) Conference (#KEMACon2025) will be held at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona from September 28 to 30, 2025. The theme is “Building Resilient Communities, Adapting to a Changing Landscape”. The conference will explore ways to strengthen communities and promote resilience against natural and human-made disasters and how emergency management strategies and approaches must adapt to new challenges, such as climate change and technological advancements.
Early Bird Registration is Open – Save $25! Register by June 15th at https://kema.regfox.com/kemacon2025-participant-registration and pay only $75 instead of the regular $100 rate.
Why Attend KEMACon2025?
- Gain actionable insights to improve your organization’s preparedness, response, and recovery efforts
- Acquire new skills to better serve your organization and community
- Network with peers, industry leaders, and professionals from across the Commonwealth and beyond
Conference Highlights
- Sunday Evening: Vendor Showcase and PAVOAD Annual Meeting and Banquet.
- Monday Morning: Keynote Speaker Patrick Van Horne, co-author of “Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life” (bio: https://kemaconference.com/keynote-speaker/)
- Monday Evening: Third Annual Social/Happy Hour at Country Inn and Suites (next to the Convention Center)
- And of course: Unlimited networking opportunities throughout the event!
Hotel Accommodations
- Hotel blocks are now open for reservations. Details available at: https://kemaconference.com/hotel-travel/
We look forward to welcoming you to Altoona this September for what promises to be a premier event on advancing emergency preparedness, resilience, and collaboration across Pennsylvania and beyond.