2012 AMEM Conference Presentation, “Human Response to Warnings” by Dennis S. Mileti, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado, Boulder, is now available in powerpoint format.

13.4 MB Powerpoint – Click Here to Download

AMEM celebrated its 52nd annual Fall Training Conference, September 16-19, 2012, at Breezy Point, MN. Approximately 350 members and emergency management partners from around the state participated in this year’s event, which included several state certification courses and a wide variety of general and concurrent training session. Special Guests included Commissioner Mona Dohman, Mn Dept. of Public Safety; Mn HSEM Director Kris Eide; COL Greg Thingvold, Mn National Guard; Bob Jacobson, Director of Public Safety, City of New Brighton (guest speaker at this year’s Awards Banquet; and Senator Amy Klobuchar who sent a video taped greeting to the conference.

AMEM Officers for 2012 – 2013

The following officers were elected to lead our association during the coming year: President Ken Carlson, Carver County; First Vice President Brenda Wodele, Wabasha County; Second Vice President Eric Waage, Hennepin County; and Judge Advocate Julie Peterson, Watonwan County.

Annual AMEM Awards

 Judd Freed, Ramsey County, was named State Director of the Year at this year’s AMEM Awards Banquet. Desiree Hohenstein, Brown County, was named State Non-Director of the Year. And Dan Bovitz, Hennepin County, Chairman of AMEM’s Professional Development Committee, received the President’s Award for his contributions to the Association over the past year by outgoing President John Bowen. Also recognized with AMEM Meritorious Service Awards were Sheriff Randy Willis, Stevens County, and Sherrill Neudahl, Mn Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

This year’s Outstanding Elected Official award was presented to Mayor Dave Bartholomay, City of Circle Pines; and the Integrated Emergency Management System (IEMS) Preparedness Award was presented to Karma Kumlin-Diers, Ramsey County. Jim Flanders, City of Minnetonka, received the Joe Strub Memorial Award from the National Weather Service; and the Cass County Chaplaincy Group received the Outstanding Volunteer Award. A Certificate of Commendation was presented to Shamrock Township, Aitkin County for their efforts during this past summer’s floods. Special recognition was also given to Margaret Geisler, the association’s conference coordinator, who is retiring after this conference; and to Doug Sailer for his 13 years of service as our conference audio-visual specialist.

In addition, 28 of our emergency management partners from around the state, having completed their course requirements, received their Minnesota Emergency Management Professional Certification from HSEM Director Kris Eide.

Karen Anderson - City of Lino Lakes Police Dept.
Amanda Baesler – Mn Dept. of Agriculture
Kenneth Beck – City of Mound Police Dept.
Mike Christianson – City of St. Paul Emergency Mgmt
Jason Churchill – MAYO Clinic
Karl Erickson – Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Correy Farniok – City of Orono Police Dept.
Marlyn Halvorson - Itasca County Sheriff’s Office
Josh Holte Norman – County Emergency Mgmt
Mark A. Johnson – HealthEast
Jessica Kawas – University of Minnesota
Thomas Kinney – City of Mounds View Police Dept.
Breanna Koval – Wilkin County Emergency Mgmt
Derek Lee Carver – County Sheriff’s Office
Christina Mara – United Health Group
Kelvin McCuskey – Mn Air National Guard
Shannon Moen – Anoka, Coon Rapids Fire Dept.
Mark Olson - Houston County
Dan Pelkey – City of Blaine Police Dept.
Mike Rumpsa – City of Lino Lakes Police Dept.
Kristen Sailer – St. Croix County Emergency Mgmt
Tyren Schmidt – City of Champlin Police Dept.
Charles Smith IV – City of Duluth Fire Dept.
Kerry Swenson – Cass County Emergency Mgmt
David Underwood – City of Brooklyn Park Fire Dept.
Jon Urquhart – City of Coon Rapids Police Dept.
Gregory Weber – City of Eden Prairie Police Dept.
Gary Zahn – MN-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team

AMEM Platform for 2013

The AMEM membership endorsed its’ goals and objectives for 2012. The association will be pursuing these goals and objectives as we continue to plan, prepare, and advocate for emergency management in Minnesota.

Goal # 1: Provide leadership in emergency preparedness and the profession of Emergency Management. Objectives: establish new partnerships; work with HSEM on training and certification programs; develop POST certification program; reference IAEM standards and programs; and promote AMEM membership.

Goal # 2: Implement the legislative platform and pathway for 2012-2103. Objectives: Local Disater Aid Fund bill; new State EOC; NOAA weather radio transmitter funding gaps; National EMPG and other grant sustainment efforts; and orientation of legislators and tribal governments.

Goal # 3: Develop and enhance Association-unique resources. Objectives: Update and promote the AMEM Elected Officials Handbook; AMEM website enhancements; and membership survey of the emergency management profession in Minnesota.

AMEM thanks its Conference Planning Committee and Conference Coordinator Margaret Geisler for another great conference, and our conference faculty for their valuable contributions to the conference’s training curriculum. And a very large thanks to HSEM Director Kris Eide and the HSEM staff for their outstanding support of this year’s conference.

Looking Forward

Planning will begin soon for next year’s annual AMEM Training Conference which is scheduled for September 15-18, 2013, at Breezy Point.