The Preparedness Summit is a one-of-a-kind learning and networking opportunity for local health officials and their public health partners from all geographic regions of the nation to share perspectives and engage in dialogue on common key public health practice issues. The 2022 conference will take place in Atlanta, GA on April 4-7, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. NACCHO, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state and local partners, is hosting a pre-conference radiological/nuclear preparedness and response workshop on Sunday, April 3.

NACCHO’s Radiation Team is offering up to 20 travel awards for emergency and public health planners with various radiological/nuclear preparedness and response experience. The travel awards cover the following*:

• Preparedness Summit registration
• Radiation Workshop registration
• Round trip airfare
• Hotel accommodations (up to 5 nights: April 2-7)
• Per diem for meals not provided at the conference or workshop

Planning for high consequence, catastrophic events is crucial regardless of their low probability. This interactive workshop aims to offer justification for why robust radiation programs are essential while also providing baseline resources to emergency and public health planners to bridge knowledge gaps and improve their existing radiation programs. With an understanding that individuals working in the public health industry have a wide range of knowledge and experience, it must be recognized that resources and guidance materials are continually evolving. Whether you have been at your organization for one year or twenty, there is always something new to learn. This workshop strives to offer insight from emergency preparedness professionals and federal partners engaged in radiation preparedness who recognize their collaborative efforts are vital for preparedness, response, and recovery planning.

Additionally, attendees will participate in a demonstration of CDC’s CRC SimPLER – a free, publicly available, online tool to help state and local emergency and public health planners prepare for setting up community reception centers to monitor people following a large-scale radiation emergency. Breakout tables will be utilized in a tabletop exercise to inspire conversation among attendees and maximize the opportunity to share ideas from current radiation programs. Information gained from this workshop will help inform future NACCHO communications plans and corresponding promotional activities that highlight resources of most need.

If interested in attending, please fill out the application linked here by January 7, 2022. Please direct questions to Shanlynn Bias ([email protected]).

*Travel awards do not include the following: baggage fees and other incidentals (local travel transportation, mileage, parking, or internet/wifi).