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Event Information
2026 CT Emergency Management Symposium
April 23, 2026
NOTE: Representatives from the private sector or non-profits cannot attend the Symposium unless they have purchased a sponsorship package or booth.
Each spring, the Connecticut Emergency Management Symposium serves as the state's premier gathering for hundreds of local public safety officials and emergency response professionals. Hosted by CCM in partnership with the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and the Department of Public Health (DPH), this event provides a vital platform for those tasked with managing mass emergencies to collaborate and strengthen statewide resilience.
As the only statewide municipal event of its kind, the symposium offers a full day of high-level workshops, interactive strategy discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities. Attendees gain exclusive access to an exhibit hall featuring vendors showcasing the latest products and services designed to enhance public safety operations. It is an essential forum for staying informed on evolving protocols and discovering the innovative tools necessary for effective disaster response.
Pre-registration is required to attend this event. Walk-ins will not be guaranteed admission due to venue capacity.
Note: During the registration process, selecting a session DOES NOT reserve your seat for that session. It is simply for scheduling purposes.
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Agenda
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| 10:30 am - 11:30 am | ||
| Thursday - April 23 | ||
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Session A1: Why Don't We Exercise Recovery
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Presented by: Michael Mozzer While preparedness cycles emphasize recovery, few organizations meaningfully exercise it. This session examines why recovery is difficult to simulate, drawing on lessons from public health emergencies and long-term disaster impacts to highlight the gap between theory and practice. Participants will explore short- and long-term recovery elements and discuss practical ways to better integrate recovery into exercises, redefining what a “complete” preparedness effort truly looks like. |
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Session A2: Multi-Agency Threat Evaluation and Behavioral Assessment Overview
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Presented by: DEMHS | FBI This multi-agency presentation brings together state partners and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to review current targeted violence and terrorism prevention resources. Building on last year’s well-attended session, presenters will highlight available training, assessment capabilities, and coordination pathways. The discussion emphasizes collaborative approaches to prevention, threat reporting, and community engagement. |
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Session A3: Artificial Intelligence and Emergency Management
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Presented by: Tom Sivak This interactive session explores how artificial intelligence can support day-to-day emergency management operations, especially in resource-constrained environments. Through real-world scenarios, participants will learn how AI can streamline routine tasks, improve information retrieval, support planning and compliance, and accelerate analysis during activations. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to understand core AI concepts in plain language, identify high-value, low-risk use cases, and outline a simple, responsible adoption plan. The presentation is led by Tom Sivak, former Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 5 Administrator and former Emergency Management Director for the City of Chicago. |
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Session A4: Providing First Responder On-Scene Rehabilitation with CERT
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Presented by: Michael Granoth This session highlights how Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) can support first responder safety through on-scene rehabilitation operations during extended or high-stress incidents. Participants will learn how trained CERT volunteers can assist with hydration, cooling/warming, basic monitoring, and logistical support, helping preserve responder effectiveness while reducing fatigue and injury risk. The presentation emphasizes coordination with incident command and practical considerations for integrating rehab functions into local response plans. |
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Session A5: Mobile Integrated Healthcare
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Presented by: Mike Zaccheria |
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Session A6: Preparing the EMAC R-2 Reimbursement Package
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Presented by: Quentin Battisti This session provides a practical overview of assembling an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) R-2 reimbursement package. Attendees will learn documentation requirements, common pitfalls, and tips for improving submission accuracy and timeliness. Ideal for agencies seeking to strengthen financial recovery following mutual aid deployments. |
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| 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | ||
| Thursday - April 23 | ||
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Eating Lunch? (If so, please check the box)
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| 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm | ||
| Thursday - April 23 | ||
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Session B1: Designing, Presenting and Evaluating Tabletop Exercises
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Presented by: William Seward This interactive session explores practical techniques for building engaging tabletop exercises that move beyond check-the-box compliance. Participants will learn strategies for scenario design, facilitation, and evaluation that promote meaningful discussion and actionable outcomes. The focus is on increasing participant buy-in while strengthening preparedness through well-structured, realistic exercises. |
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Session B2: Current Threats and Trends within Online Radicalization
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Presented by: Allizandra Herberhold This in-depth briefing examines emerging online subcultures tied to youth radicalization and targeted violence, including how extremist “fandoms” operate beneath the surface of mainstream platforms. Using real-world examples, the presenter highlights behavioral red flags and indicators that may signal escalation. Participants will leave with greater confidence in identifying risk factors and understanding how early intervention can redirect vulnerable individuals toward safer outcomes. |
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Session B3: CISA's Tools and Services Suite for SLTTs
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Presented by: Dave Palmbach In this session, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will provide an overview of cybersecurity tools, services, and technical assistance available to state and local partners at no cost. Attendees will learn how to access these resources to strengthen cyber resilience, improve incident preparedness, and support critical infrastructure protection. |
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Session B4: Medical Aid Station Team (MAST) Collaboration with Local EM at Mass Gatherings
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Presented by: Katherine McCormack This presentation highlights a collaborative Medical Aid Station Team (MAST) model implemented by the Capitol Region Medical Reserve Corps in partnership with local emergency management and fire services at the Hebron Fair. The model demonstrates how medical and non-medical volunteers can extend operational capacity, allowing first responders to focus on higher-acuity care. Presenters will discuss mission design, integration with CERT, and how scalable partnerships can enhance readiness for planned events and community emergencies. |
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Session B5: Red Cross: Preparing and Collaborating to Mitigate Threats
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Presented by: Rebecca Johnson The American Red Cross will outline how its services—from home fire responses to sheltering and disaster operations—integrate with local emergency management. This session focuses on strengthening partnerships to enhance preparedness and response at the community level. Participants will gain practical insight into building sustainable relationships that improve resilience before disasters strike. |
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Session B6: Re-Introduction to FEMA's Benefit Cost Analysis
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Presented by: Aaron Hines This session provides a practical refresher on Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) as used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to evaluate mitigation projects and funding eligibility. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of BCA fundamentals, common data requirements, and how communities can better position projects for approval. The focus is on translating technical concepts into actionable steps that support hazard mitigation planning and grant readiness. |
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| 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | ||
| Thursday - April 23 | ||
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Session C1: Hyper Local Community Based Emergency Preparedness: Neighborhood Drills and Exercises
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Presented by: Michael Purcaro Preparedness starts at the neighborhood level. This session explores hyper-local, community-driven drills and exercises designed to build resilience where it matters most—on individual streets and in small residential clusters. Attendees will learn practical methods for organizing neighborhood-scale preparedness activities, engaging residents, and integrating these efforts into broader municipal emergency management frameworks. The focus is on low-cost, high-impact strategies that strengthen readiness before formal response systems are activated. |
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Session C2: Nihilistic Violent Extremism, Sadistic Online Exploitation
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Presented by: Evan Allard and Kage Harrington This session, delivered by DEMHS in partnership with the Connecticut Intelligence Center, provides an overview of nihilistic violent extremism (NVE), sadistic online exploitation networks (including “764”), and related emerging threat ecosystems. Participants will learn how these decentralized online movements recruit, radicalize, and groom vulnerable individuals, and how these dynamics increasingly intersect with targeted violence. The presentation emphasizes behavioral indicators, reporting pathways, and prevention-oriented approaches to support early identification and intervention. |
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Session C3: Hurricane Forecasting in the Age of AI and Predictive Analytics
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Presented by: Josh Cingranelli and Doug Glowacki This session explores how advances in artificial intelligence and predictive modeling are transforming hurricane forecasting, decision support, and operational preparedness. Building on traditional meteorological methods used by agencies such as the National Hurricane Center, emerging AI-driven tools now offer faster pattern recognition, improved track and intensity projections, and enhanced situational awareness. Participants will gain insight into how these technologies can support emergency management planning, resource allocation, and public communication—while also discussing limitations, uncertainty, and the importance of responsible integration into existing forecasting and response workflows. |
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Session C4: Connecticut Capabilities and LEPC Panning
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Presented by: DEMHS Panel |
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Session C5: The Value of CERT in Your Municipality
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Presented by: Michael Davis This session provides an overview of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in Connecticut, including its history, organizational structure, and recent activations supporting statewide response efforts. The presentation also explores the value of CERT through a cost-benefit lens, highlighting how trained volunteers expand local capacity during emergencies. |
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Session C6: Emergency Vehicle Operations and Emergency Response Driving
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Presented by: Ian Havens Emergency response driving is about more than speed—it’s about safety, readiness, and liability. This session reviews recent legislative and judicial developments affecting emergency vehicle operations, with a focus on how evolving standards influence responder accountability and organizational risk. Participants will walk away with a clearer understanding of legal expectations and best practices for balancing rapid response with safe operations. |
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Speakers
| Name | Organization | Speaking At |
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| Aaron Sines | Tetra Tech, Inc. | Session B6: Re-Introduction to FEMA's Benefit Cost Analysis |
| Amery Bernhardt | Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation at WCSU | Session A2: Multi-Agency Threat Evaluation and Behavioral Assessment Overview |
| Daniel Mozzochi | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session A2: Multi-Agency Threat Evaluation and Behavioral Assessment Overview |
| David Palmbach | Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency | Session B3: CISA's Tools and Services Suite for SLTTs |
| Douglas Glowacki | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session C3: Hurricane Forecasting in the Age of AI and Predictive Analytics |
| Evan Allard | Connecticut Intelligence Center | Session C2: Nihilistic Violent Extremism, Sadistic Online Exploitation |
| Francesca Provenzano | Connecticut Department of Public Health | Session A5: Mobile Integrated Healthcare |
| Ian Havens | Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency | Session C6: Emergency Vehicle Operations and Emergency Response Driving |
| Josh Cingranelli | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session C3: Hurricane Forecasting in the Age of AI and Predictive Analytics |
| Katherine McCormack | Capitol Region Council of Governments | Session B4: Medical Aid Station Team (MAST) Collaboration with Local EM at Mass Gatherings |
| Kenneth Harrington | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session C2: Nihilistic Violent Extremism, Sadistic Online Exploitation |
| Marc LaFrance | Federal Bureau of Investigation | Session A2: Multi-Agency Threat Evaluation and Behavioral Assessment Overview |
| Michael Purcaro | Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation | Session C1: Hyper Local Community Based Emergency Preparedness: Neighborhood Drills and Exercises |
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Michael Mozzer
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Connecticut Department of Public Health | Session A1: Why Don't We Exercise Recovery |
| Michael Davis | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session C5: The Value of CERT in Your Municipality |
| Mubin Shaikh | Parents 4 Peace | Session B2: Current Threats and Trends within Online Radicalization |
| Nicole Velardi | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session C4: Connecticut Capabilities and LEPC Panning |
| Quentin Battisti | Connecticut Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security | Session A6: Preparing the EMAC R-2 Reimbursement Package |
| Rebecca Johnson | American Red Cross | Session B5: Red Cross: Preparing and Collaborating to Mitigate Threats |
| Tom Sivak | EM1 | Session A3: Artificial Intelligence and Emergency Management |
| William Seward | Town of North Branford | Session B1: Designing, Presenting and Evaluating Tabletop Exercises |