2025 Schedule

SPARC is proud to present the 13th Annual

Weathering the Storm: 

A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management Conference

 

 

13th Annual Weathering the Storm Conference

November 13, 2025 · The Pavilion · Marion, IL

Building resilience. Strengthening communities. Preparing for tomorrow.ScheduleSpeakers & TopicsTracksPoster Hall

Schedule

Morning (Main Hall)

  • 7:00-8:00 AM Registration
  • 8:00–8:50 AM Opening Ceremony, Welcome & Awards
    Remarks by Todd Carr; Service Award presentation
  • 9:00–9:50 AM Keynote
    Dr. Steve Webb
  • 10:00–10:50 AM Plenary
    J.P. Moore — “Preparing to Manage Violent Events & Reunification”
  • 11:00 AM–1:00 PM Lunch, Vendor Hall, Poster Hall & Communications Demonstration, Arch (Weather Permitting)

Room 4 — Pediatrics Track 1:00–3:50 PM

  • Abby Bailey — “When It Happens, Kids Will Come. Are You Prepared?”
  • Kristy Deutschmann — “Dude, Where’s My Family? Best Practices in Reunification”
  • Rachel Mazzara — “Green Goo at the Daycare: Hose Them Down or Time to Decon?”
  • Abby Bailey — “On the Road Again: Are the Kids Secure?”

Room 1 — Weather & Infrastructure 1:00–3:50 PM

  • 1:00–1:50 PM Jason Klein — “Utility Preparedness and Storm Response”
  • 2:00–2:50 PM Christine Wielgos — “How to Prepare Yourself for the Next Hazardous Weather Event”
  • 3:00–3:50 PM Larry Busch — “The Grid Is Down. You Can Power Up.”

Room 2 — General Audience (A) 2:00–3:50 PM

  • 2:00–2:50 PM Jason Plichta — “How Many Strikes Till You’re Out?”
  • 3:00–3:50 PM Richard George, M.D. — “Implementation of the Statewide Interoperability Template (SWIT)”

Room 3 — General Audience (B) 1:00–3:50 PM

  • 1:00–1:50 PM Connie Polke & Bill Pretzer — “Think Big, Start Small, But Collaborate With Them All: Healthcare Evacuation, Real-World Lessons and Collaborative Strategies”
  • 2:00–3:50 PM Dan Wilder & Associates — “Armed Intruder/Active Shooter: Plan, Respond, and Survive the Unthinkable” & “The Essentials of Aggression Management in Healthcare: From Talkdown to Takedown”
  • 4:00–4:30 PM Closing Ceremony & Door Prizes

Speakers & Topics

Dr. Steve Webb

Keynote

J.P. Moore

Plenary — Preparing to Manage Violent Events & Reunification

Abby Bailey

When It Happens, Kids Will Come. Are You Prepared?

Abby Bailey

On the Road Again: Are the Kids Secure?

Kristy Deutschmann

Dude, Where’s My Family? Best Practices in Reunification

Rachel Mazzara

Green Goo at the Daycare: Hose Them Down or Time to Decon?

Jason Klein

Utility Preparedness and Storm Response

Christine Wieglos

How to Prepare Yourself for the Next Hazardous Weather Event

Larry Bush

The Grid Is Down. You Can Power Up.

Jason Plichta

How Many Strikes Till You’re Out?

Richard George, M.D.

Implementation of the Statewide Interoperability Template (SWIT)

Connie Polke & Bill Pretzer

Think Big, Start Small, But Collaborate With Them All: Healthcare Evacuation, Real-World Lessons and Collaborative Strategies

Dan Wilder & Associates

Active Shooter Response & Aggression Management in Healthcare

Tracks

  • Pediatrics
  • Weather & Infrastructure
  • General Audience

Poster Hall

We’re accepting posters that highlight public health, preparedness, emergency management, and community resilience. Submission deadline: October 17, 2025.

Submit via email: RHCC@sih.net. Poster presenters receive complimentary registration. Standard poster size up to 36″×48″; easels provided.