Gov. Scott Walker addresses representatives from fire, law enforcement, emergency management and first responder agencies at the 51st annual Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Appleton, Wis. Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs photo by Maj. Joy Staab
APPLETON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker joined Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general and Homeland Security advisor, and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) Administrator Brian Satula today at the 51st Annual Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Held at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton, Wisconsin, the conference attracts more than 450 representatives from fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and other first responder agencies.
“Public safety is our top priority,” Walker said. “That’s why this conference is so important because it brings first responders and emergency managers together to share information. “Last year’s flooding events and tornadoes reminded us of the importance of preparedness. When you’re properly prepared, you can more quickly and effectively recover from disasters and emergencies.”
The Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security is one of the oldest emergency management conferences in the nation, and the focus this year is on the recovery phase following disasters and emergencies. The conference provides safety professionals from around Wisconsin the opportunity to come together and learn about new ways to protect the people of the state.
Recent Emergency Planning and Response Efforts in Wisconsin:
- Flooding and Tornadoes — The state had two major flooding events in July 2017 in southeastern and western Wisconsin and 23 tornado touchdowns last year that caused millions of dollars in damage and destroyed or damaged several homes. The recovery process continues in many of those communities.
- Cyber Security — Wisconsin blocks over 2.4 million cyber attacks targeting state agencies every day. This past fall, the state held its fifth annual Cyber Security Summit, an important event allowing government and industry officials to share resources, best practices, and lessons learned across public and private sectors. Walker also highlighted the state’s efforts preparing for long-term power outages and developing capabilities to respond to cyber incidents. This spring, the state, in coordination with utility companies and local governments, will conduct a full-scale exercise focusing on a power outage caused by a cyber attack.
- See Something, Say Something — Launched five years ago, the “See Something, Say Something” campaign works to enlighten Wisconsin citizens about the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement officers.
- Wisconsin National Guard Response — Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assisted in Burlington, Wisconsin with traffic control and health and welfare checks following the flooding last July in southeastern Wisconsin. A few months later, the Wisconsin National Guard provided assistance in Florida, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands following the hurricanes.
More information on the Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security can be found here: https://wigcot.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/wem2018/wem18
