May 27, 2025
11:00AM - 5:00PM
Lunch included
From California Screamin' to California Dreamin': Transforming Crisis into Capability
Where Challenges Meet Solutions
California’s emergency response landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the increasing frequency of natural disasters, evolving public health challenges, and the swift pace of technological advancements. This shift presents both significant challenges and unique opportunities for growth and innovation within our emergency response community.
This pre-conference session is designed to highlight cutting-edge strategies for resilience and transformative leadership practices that are reshaping daily operations and long-term planning. By drawing on real-world examples and evidence-based solutions, participants will gain practical insights and tools to enhance the adaptability and strength of emergency response systems across the state.
Featuring leaders from all sectors of emergency management, this session will showcase individuals who have not only navigated the urgent needs of healthcare emergency preparedness and response but have also pioneered forward-thinking, impactful solutions to many of the challenges we face in building community resilience.
Building on EMSAAC’s three-decade legacy of fortifying California’s emergency medical services, this session aims to bridge the gap between current challenges and future possibilities. We will move beyond conventional methods, exploring innovative solutions that foster greater collaboration and unity within our diverse emergency response community. This event promises to be a catalyst for reimagining emergency response in California and beyond.
This pre-conference is focusing on “Your Disaster Medical Response” and invites anyone participating in medical disaster response, including but not limited to:
- Emergency Managers
- MHOACs
- RDMHS/RDMHCs
- Public Health Preparedness/Response Coordinators
- MRC Coordinators
- LEMSA Administrators, Medical Directors and EMS staff
- Fire Department Disaster Response Teams
- Ambulance Disaster Response Teams
- Law Enforcement Disaster Response Teams
Key Themes – Tech, Team, & Touchpoints!
- Broader Trends in Emergency Management – Where we are, where we should be, and how we close the gaps.
- Who We Are – Transforming leadership to be more adaptive and resilient as well as building resiliency across our intergenerational teams; capturing and conveying institutional knowledge in a more systematic way.
- What We Do & How We Do It -- New Skillsets Required to Navigate New Reality – Swarm Collaboration, Strategic Influence building, Political Intelligence (to navigate increased exposure), Expansion of Comms Expectations (clear, transparent, direct, translations available), Intergenerational Intelligence, Culture Building.

Faculty
Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar
Director
Department of Emergency Management
County of San Mateo
Bruce Barton
Director
Emergency Management Department
County of Riverside
Adriane Gil-Stefansen
Deputy EMS Administrator
Ventura County EMS Agency
Daniel Maguire
Disaster Response and Recovery Officer
Ventura County Human Services Agency
Bridget Velasco
Public Health Planner
Office of Public Health Preparedness
State of Hawaii Department of Health
Danielle VassalottiPublic Health Specialist
Office of Public Health Preparedness
State of Hawaii Department of Health
Traci Holt
EMS/MRC Program Administrator
Ventura County EMS Agency
Tameka Bowden
Medical Reserve Corps Program
Region IX MRC Liaison
Office of Administration for Strategic
Preparedness Response
Have you booked your hotel room?
Group rate expires April 23, 2025
To reserve a room call
Coronado Reservations 800-235-6397
Hotel Direct 619-424-4000