FEMA's director of preparedness to keynote Homeland Security Solutions Conference

By John McHale

BALTIMORE — David Paulison, director of preparedness for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington D.C., will give the keynote address at the Homeland Security Solutions Conference and Exhibition 2004 May 18 and 19 in Baltimore.

Paulison will address the important role the private sector will play in equipping first responders with the technology and tools they need in the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other national emergency. The conference is at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Paulison works under the DHS's Emergency Preparedness and Response directorate, formerly the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Paulison, who has also served FEMA as U.S. Fire Administrator, has 30 years of fire rescue services experience including as chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department from 1992 to 2001. In that position, he oversaw 1,900 personnel with a $200 million operating budget and a $70 million capital budget. He also oversaw the county's emergency management office.

David Paulison, director of preparedness for the Department of Homeland Security will give the keynote address at the Homeland Security Solutions Conference 2004 on May 18 and 19.

The second annual Homeland Security Solutions Conference & Exhibition 2004 brings together government and industry leaders who need to meet homeland security challenges in their own organizations, and systems integrators whose primary jobs are to build the most effective new solutions for homeland security. Following a successful launch in April 2003, the 2004 event will take an in-depth look at lessons learned during the past year and new ways to get the private sector involved.

This conference is designed for program managers and executive managers in government and industry who buy or supply technological solutions for homeland security challenges. It also highlights the most innovative systems for safeguarding U.S. citizens and resources, as well as brings out the most pressing needs and the most promising opportunities related to homeland security.

Dan Inbar of the Homeland Security Research Corp. (HSRC) in San Jose, Calif., will follow Paulison's keynote with a presentation on the homeland security market. The HSRC is dedicated solely to the study, analysis, and reporting of the technology and economics of the homeland security market. Their products include: market forecasts, product comparisons, custom reports, consulting services, technology auditing, and a newsletter.

On May 18 James A. Nelson of the Physical Science Laboratory, New Mexico State University, will speak on work being done at the Border Technology Deployment Center (BTDC). The BTDC provides for testing and demonstrating border and homeland security technologies in an operating environment at the Santa Teresa International point of entry.

The conference's second day keynote is Michael J. Hershman, president and chief executive officer of The Civitas Group in New York City. Hershman will discuss opportunities for the private sector through an analysis of the Department of Homeland Security's latest budget request. The Civitas Group serves as a liaison between the private sector and the government.

Also speaking on May 19 is Thomas Lambalot, executive vice president sales and marketing, business development for SmartLink Radio Networks, in Wallingford, Conn. Lambalot will discuss technological solutions to improving radio interoperability within public safety communications and the evaluation factors that are necessary before choosing systems or equipment.

For more information or to register for Homeland Security Solutions 2004, contact PennWell's registration staff by phone at 603-891-9267, by fax at 603-891-9490, by e-mail at [email protected], or online at www.homelandsecuritysolutionsshow.com.

To exhibit contact Maureen Kane by phone at 603-891-9423, fax 603-891-9490, or e-mail: [email protected].