USJ Hosting Forum on Emergency Preparedness Tuesday

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford is hosting a roundtable forum on emergency management Tuesday afternoon on its campus.

The event, which is open to area residents as well as municipal officials, comes as two major hurricanes have devastated portions of the southern United States in recent weeks.

USJ's forum will take place Tuesday, Sept. 15, from noon to 2 p.m. at Mercy Hall in the Crystal Room, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford.

The forum will bring together "scholars, policymakers, community leaders and members of the police, fire and medical communities to discuss our communities’ collective emergency preparedness," wrote USJ in an announcement.

Expected to be on the panel are:

• Dr. John Watts, D.C.J., assistant professor and program director, of USJ's criminal justice and restorative justice program.

• Wethersfield Police Chief Rafael Medina III

• West Hartford Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Greg H. Priest

• Samantha Inniss, West Hartford Police Department social worker

• Brandon Bartell, operations manager, American Medical Response

"The recent destruction wrought by hurricanes Helene and Milton amplify the importance of emergency management before and during natural and man-made disasters," wrote USJ in an event announcement.

"Experts at the USJ Forum will discuss emergency management challenges and share best practices for preparedness and response capabilities."

USJ said this event is for emergency professionals, students, local leaders and community members "interested in learning more about what can and should be done to ensure public safety, preparedness, and rapid response in times of crisis."