Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

FYI

----- Original Message ----- 
> The Humane Society of the United States
> National Conference on Animals in Disaster (NCAD)
> Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia
> May 31 to June 3, 2006
> Learning from Katrina-A Commitment to the Future
>
>
> First of all...Thank You!
>
> The entire disaster community has been extremely busy over the last six 
> weeks-and will be for some time-in response to Hurricanes Katrina and 
> Rita. We applaud all disaster workers across the country who have been 
> working long, hard hours providing relief and solace to suffering animals 
> of all species. To our volunteers and all the people we have been working 
> with, we thank you with our whole hearts.
>
> A "Must-Attend" Event: The National Conference on Animals in Disaster-May 
> 31 to June 3, 2006, in Arlington, Virginia (just across the Potomac River 
> from Washington, D.C.)
>
> The HSUS's fourth biennial National Conference on Animals in Disaster 
> (NCAD) will be dedicated to the lessons of Katrina and Rita. We will roll 
> up our sleeves to secure the improvements made in the disaster planning 
> and response process, and to re-create and reinvigorate approaches 
> currently in process that will help in future preparedness and response 
> efforts.
>
> Successful disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response depend on the 
> cooperation, collaboration, and creative leadership of all 
> sectors-government, nonprofit and voluntary organizations, and the 
> business community.  Leaders from all these sectors will participate in 
> NCAD 2006, and we ask for your voice and your participation in this 
> important event.
>
> Build on experience and develop solutions in these critical areas:
>
> - Evacuation, rescue, and sheltering policies: We know the cost of current 
> policies in many areas; how can we ensure success next time?
>
> - Government and nongovernmental processes for mobilizing resources: Who 
> can get there fast? Which processes slow us down and which speed help to 
> those in need?
>
> - Organizing and standardizing response capability for local emergencies 
> as well as catastrophic disasters
>
> - Spontaneous volunteers: The challenges of preparing for and dealing with 
> the explosion of untested human resources
>
> - Donation management: Procuring and managing useful resources for those 
> who need it
>
> - Family reunifications: New systems, new issues; Using technology to 
> support this critical process
>
> - Mental health support: Will we ever recover? What do we do with our 
> experiences?
>
> The National Conference on Animals in Disaster will be held at the Hilton 
> Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, from May 31 to June 3, 2006.
>
> Please understand that The HSUS is still operational in relief efforts in 
> several states and the same people who are managing our relief efforts are 
> also planning this conference. We will send notices as new information is 
> posted on our website about this important conference.
>
> Visit our website, www.hsus.org/NCAD06, to learn more about the issues, 
> speakers, and other events, as this information becomes available.
>
> Note: Organizations wishing to hold their meetings in conjunction with our 
> conference are welcome to contact us for coordination.
>
> Again, thank you for your selfless sacrifice, and we hope to see you in 
> May 2006.
>
> Sponsorship:
> If your company or organization would like to learn more about sponsorship 
> opportunities, please e-mail us at ncad@hsus.org.
>
> Hotel Reservations:
> Take advantage of the special hotel rate at the Hilton Crystal City by 
> calling 1-800-695-7551 by May 8, 2006, and mention The Humane Society of 
> the United States to receive the discounted room rate of $109 (single or 
> double occupancy).