Publishers Message

     Irecently attended the International Association of Emergency Managers' (IAEM) 55th Annual Conference In Reno, NV, November 11–14, 2007, along with 1,500 emergency management and homeland security professionals.

     The Emergency Management & Homeland Security Expo (EMEX 2007) attracted 225 exhibitors, including top homeland security and disaster preparedness suppliers, and IAEM raised more than $24,000 for scholarships during the conference.

     The keynote presentation by FEMA administrator Chief R. David Paulison focused on the importance of partnerships in both the public and private sectors.

     "Join us in working together to protect America in its time of need," Paulison told IAEM members. "We can develop and implement an integrated response system. We must work together to educate the public in their role in disasters…this is truly a new era of FEMA working together with IAEM."

     In conjunction with Paulison's presentation, IAEM issued a news release recognizing the commitment of FEMA leaders to supporting the involvement of their Federal Coordinating Officers (FCOs) as IAEM members, including their enrollment in the Certified Emergency Manager program. Although IAEM already had FCOs among its membership, FEMA now has enrolled all 34 FCOs as IAEM members and Certified Emergency Manager program applicants.

     "Our partnership with IAEM and the CEM certification of our FCOs stands to affirm them as the leaders among our profession," stated Paulison.

     IAEM is a non-profit organization consisting of almost 4,000 emergency management professionals from local, state and federal governments, the military, private industry and volunteer organizations. To learn more about IAEM, the CEM program and the IAEM scholarship program, visit www.iaem.com.
     —Scott Cravens, Publisher