CONTACT: Lt. Col. Paul Fanning 518-786-4581 Office, (518) 441-4106 Cell

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, Sep 15, 2009

ON SITE: Lt. Col. Paul Fanning (518) 441-4106, Cell

WHO:

The Joint Forces Headquarters, New York National Guard, with participation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the New York State Department of Homeland Security, State Police and State Emergency Management Office, the New York City Office of Emergency Management, United States Northern Command, Erie and Niagara County Emergency Services offices and county and municipal emergency response and public safety offices from across the state

WHAT:

GRAND ISLAND, NY (09/14/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York National Guard is holding a conference this week at the Grand Island Holiday Inn that will bring military and civilian professionals together to talk about emergency response and military support at home.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 through Friday Sept. 18.

WHERE:

Grand Island Holiday Inn, 100 Whitehaven Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072.

Coverage Opportunities: Deputy Secretary Denise O'Donnell of the New York State Office of Public Safety delivers a key note address at 10:45a.m. Tuesday Sept. 15th and Lt. Gen. H. Stephen Blum, Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command delivers a key note address on Thursday 17 Sept at 9 a.m. Press are welcome.

BACKGROUND:

The New York National Guard has been annually conducting Domestic Operations conferences as an out reach effort and a means to share information with and among civilian emergency response agencies from across the state. Last year's conference was held in New York City. There will be guest speakers and presenters from federal and state agencies. Nearly 200 civilian and military professionals are expected. The conference will bring together the agencies that the state's military forces will partner with when conducting Domestic Operations and provide a clear understanding of the missions, roles and assets of each agency in the Domestic Operations environment. The conference will include presentations, equipment displays, and panel discussions centered on aspects of Domestic Operations such as natural disasters, Homeland Security, upcoming Defense Support of Civil Authority (DSCA) exercises, and the capabilities of the state's Army and Air National Guard, Naval Militia and New York Guard which comprise the military forces of New York. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT (518) 786-4581.