Oregon Emergency Management Association Hosts Annual Conference

Joe Rizzo has built an accomplished career as an emergency management professional through his work with a number of governmental entities across Oregon. During his time as president of the Oregon Emergency Management Association (OEMA), Joe Rizzo played a key role in organizing such events as the annual conference. 

Every year, OEMA hosts a conference that welcomes its 300-plus members in addition to other professionals in the emergency management industry. In 2016, the organization continued this tradition by holding the event October 4-6 at the Salishan Spa and Golf Resort in Gleneden Beach. 

The conference opened with a color guard show and tribal blessing before attendees had the opportunity to attend a number of educational sessions. These sessions covered current trends in the emergency management industry and a number of other topics, such as overcoming arguments against preparedness and the lessons learned from the Loma Prieta earthquake.

As part of the proceedings, the OEMA annual conference also hosted a number of keynote speakers. Among those on hand to share their expertise were Dr. Brittany Brand, a professor in the Department of Geosciences at Boise State University, and retired lieutenant general Russel L. Honore, who commanded military relief efforts along the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.