DAYTONA BEACH, FL (March 10, 2010) - Lessons learned from the recent H1N1 flu pandemic, reports by area city managers regarding how well their municipalities are prepared to cope with a disaster, and panel discussions about the needs of special populations during such emergencies will be among a variety of health and safety topics discussed when the College and University Disaster Assessment and Research Center (CUDARC) hosts a two-day conference beginning March 26.
“Building Bridges: Connecting Public Safety and Academia” promises to provide a wealth of research-based information that can help public officials, health and safety professionals, social workers and the general public to better respond during times of disaster.
The purpose of CUDARC is to conduct research in the local community to be used by emergency planners. The research findings help identify needs prior to, during and following a disaster. CUDARC is administered by the Volusia-Flagler Higher Education Consortium, comprised of researchers from Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Stetson University and the University of Central Florida.
The conference will feature a keynote speaker each day. Dr. Howard Rodenberg, clinical associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Florida and an adjunct professor at ERAU, will give the keynote address on day one of the conference, while Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department, will give the keynote remarks on day two.
In addition to a variety of panel discussions led by representatives of each educational institution, the program also will feature an analysis of disaster relief in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake by Rick Davis, director of engineering for Integration Systems, Inc.
The two-day cost for general admission to the conference is $40. The cost for one day only is $20. Admission to the conference for students for both days inclusive is only $20. The conference will take place in building 1200 on Daytona State College’s campus at 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on day one and from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on day two. On-site registration is available.
For a detailed conference agenda and information on how to register for this event, please visit http://cudarc.daytonastate.edu, e-mail smithcha@DaytonaState.edu, or call (386) 506-3690.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Glyn Johnston, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Events, (386) 506-4499, johnstg@DaytonaState.edu
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