Emmitsburg, MD – Recently the U. S. Fire Administration hosted the first national conference of the Prevention Advocacy Resources and Data Exchange (PARADE) network on the National Emergency Training Center campus. The conference was conducted November 21-25, with approximately 90 participants in attendance. Invitees to the conference were the Nation’s fire marshals, at the state and local levels.
Throughout the 3 1/2 days, the participants had the opportunity to attend professional development workshops, network and exchange fire prevention materials at the PARADE Grounds, and hear presentations on a variety of topics ranging from fire prevention marketing management, college campus fire safety, and new international concepts in public fire education from recognized leaders in these areas.
“The 2003 PARADE conference was indeed an incredibly successful event. Whenever you bring together so many talented individuals from fire prevention, good things are going to happen,” U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison said. “Preventing fires and fire deaths and injuries in this nation, can only be achieved through teamwork. Americans will be even safer in 2004 as a result of this team building event.”
Deputy U. S. Fire Administrator, Charlie Dickinson opened the ceremonies and provided an overview of USFA programs and organizational mission planks. In addition, Mr. Ken Burris, Director, FEMA Region IV, and former U.S. Fire Administrator, provided the keynote remarks.
A special event of the conference was the banquet held on Monday evening, November 24, which featured R. David Paulison, current U. S. Fire Administrator and DHS Preparedness Director, as the guest speaker. Mr. Paulison addressed a number of important subjects, and expressed his support for the nation’s prevention community by committing to hosting the PARADE conference again in 2004. A tentative date of November 3-7, 2004, has been set aside for the next National PARADE Conference at the NETC, on Emmitsburg campus.
For more information regarding the 2003, or the 2004 PARADE Conference, contact: Ms. Rebecca A. Ryan, Fire Program Specialist, Citizen & Community Preparedness Branch, by email at: becky.ryan@dhs.gov or (301) 447-1128.
