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Emergency Management Symposium


The Iowa Mayors Association is hosting a six-part, 24-hour course (in-person, virtual and self-paced training) to prepare Iowa mayors and city staff for their legal roles in responding to a disaster. The in-person event (Part 2) will be held on April 15 starting at 9: 30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in West Des Moines. The registration fee is $65.

Due to the recent legislation that has impacted cities and the new budget deadline. We thought moving the symposium back may be helpful. We have selected a new date for this event: April 15. Deadline to register: April 3

All city staff and officials are welcome and encouraged to attend. (No requirement of mayors only.)

April 15 Agenda (In person at the Hilton Garden Inn- West Des Moines)

9:30  a.m. – Coffee and Social Time (optional attendance)
10 a.m. – Formal Welcome, Introductions, and Breakout Team Assignments
10:30 a.m. – Iowa Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
12  p.m. – Lunch and Roundtables 
1 p.m. – Iowa Emergency Management Association Roles & Responsibilities
2 p.m. – Visit with National Guard Representatives
3  p.m. – Discussion of Legal Responsibilities & Authorities of Iowa Mayors In a Disaster (Coralville City Attorney)
4 p.m. – In-Person Session Ends

Part 1:
Please start on Part 1 prior to the in-person meeting.

Self-Paced FEMA Web Training (Total: 6 hours)

Once the in-person meeting is complete, Part 3 virtual training will begin.

Part 3: Self-Paced FEMA Web Training (6 hours)

Virtual Meetings – Tentative Schedule

Part 4: Virtual Weeknight Discussion (2 hours) — Virtual Meeting to be determined

  • Derecho Case Study & Lessons Learned

Part 5: Virtual Weeknight Capstone Exercise (2 hours) – Virtual Meeting to be determined

  • Capstone Exercise (1.5 hours)

Part 6: Virtual Course Review and Graduation (2 hours)Virtual Meeting to be determined

  • Symposium Review
  • Participant Impressions (Guided Discussion)
  • Developing a Checklist for Municipal Disaster Readiness
  • Next Steps / Follow-on Training Opportunities and Resources
  • Closing Remarks



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