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!

  1. Broader Trends in Emergency Management – Where we are, where we should be, and how we close the gaps.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
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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 Vassalotti

Public 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