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Colonel Rick Fuentes Major Dennis McNulty
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State Director of Emergency Management
Executive Officer, Emergency Management

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nicholas J. Morici
(609) 882-2000 ext. 6209
(609) 273-7008 - cell
April 13, 2009

New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference


In a society where someone with a grudge and a gun can cause instant mayhem, first responders are at great risk.

The New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association, a non-profit dedicated to training emergency personnel in how best to protect the lives and property of the public during natural and man-made disasters, has invited an expert on work place violence as keynote speaker at this year’s conference.

Dr. Paul Michael Viollis, Sr., the Chief Executive Officer of Risk Control Strategies, will give his take on the increasing level of violence police, fire, emergency medical technicians and other support staff are encountering when called to these incidents. Statistics show nationwide there are an average of 17 workplace homicides per week.

The Ph.D. takes the stage at the Tropicana Resort and Casino Hotel showroom Thursday morning, May 7, at approximately 10:50 a.m. to address more than 1, 500 emergency workers from New Jersey and surrounding states on "The Strategy to Avoiding Violence in the Workplace."

Dr. Viollis is a renowned author of books on avoiding violence in the workplace and schools, avoiding domestic violence at work, conflict resolution, and bridging cross cultural communications. As an expert on workplace violence behavioral analysis, he has frequently appeared and been quoted in media outlets including CNN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNBC, CBS, ESPN, Wall Street Journal Radio, The New York Times, National Public Radio, CSO, Forbes, Worth, Business Insurance, CFO, and Reuters.

"In our previous 10 annual conferences, we have emphasized professional response to hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms, fires, flood, airplane crashes, and terrorism," said Michael Caffrey, president of the NJEPA. He continued, "While these core concerns are well-covered this year, we felt it necessary to also address the growing phenomenon of mass violence. In addition to protecting others, our responders must know how to protect themselves."

This 11th annual NJEPA conference runs from Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are dedicated to specialized training courses while Thursday and Friday are general conference days. Vendors exhibit their wares in the conference hall on Wednesday evening and Thursday.

A full schedule of events and the ability to register online can be accessed at www.njepa.org/

Registration is $100 online or $125 at the door. Special Tropicana room rates for conference participants can also be booked through the NJEPA web site.

 

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