Schedule-at-a-Glance
Wed, April 29: Plenary Session / Special Event at the National WWII Museum
Thurs, April 30: Plenary, Workshop, and Talkshop Sessions / Special Event Dinner on the Cajun Queen Riverboat
Fri, May 1: Territorial Breakout Session / Awards and Special Recognition / Departure (noon)
Special Guests
We are proud to confirm the following special guests and plenary session speakers!
Captain David Brittle
When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Captain David Brittle’s parents were the commanding officers of the city. As the storm bore down, Major Richard and Fay Brittle chose to remain behind, providing shelter to a growing number of refugees with no way to evacuate. In honor of their work, Captain David Brittle continues to share his parents’ story and rescue. Captain David Brittle is currently the commanding officer of The Salvation Army Enid OK Corps.
Mr. Deke Copenhaver
Deke Copenhaver is Principal of Copenhaver Consulting, LLC in Augusta, Georgia, and Executive Director of the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Group, bringing extensive experience as a keynote speaker, leadership coach, campaign strategist, and host of The Changemaker podcast. He is the author of the ForbesBooks Amazon #1 bestseller The Changemaker: The Art of Building Better Leaders, a Movement Partner with the national nonpartisan organization Builders, and a member of the Forward Party Advisory Board. A cancer survivor, Deke is guided by a faith-centered commitment to healing broken communities. He previously served as Mayor of Augusta from 2005–2014, earning recognition as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians,” and lives in Augusta with his wife, Malisa, and their two corgis.
Dr. Joseph G. Ferko III, DO, MS
Mr. Brock Long
Confirmed by Congress in 2017, William B. “Brock” Long served as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He has more than sixteen years of experience in emergency management, including as the director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He is currently an Executive Vice President at Hagerty Consulting.
Mr. Tony Robinson
Mr. Robinson serves as Executive Vice President for Disaster Recovery and Public Policy Initiatives at National Emergency Management and Response (National EMR), a Texas-based 501(c)(3) with more than 30 years of experience supporting state and national disaster missions across every major U.S. disaster. In this role, he advances National EMR’s mission to deliver rapid, scalable, and accountable emergency management solutions, specializing in full-spectrum response and recovery operations that strengthen government systems and close critical coordination gaps. Prior to joining National EMR, Mr. Robinson retired after 40 years of federal service, including 13 years as Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 6, where he led disaster response and recovery efforts across six states and 68 federally recognized tribal nations, overseeing more than 200 Presidentially declared disasters.
Colonel Deborah Sedlar
Colonel Deb Sedlar is the Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army’s U.S. Southern Territory. Since being commissioned in 1989, Colonel Sedlar has served in numerous appointments in the Eastern Territory, National Headquarters and International Headquarters where she was the Executive Secretary to the General. She has been the Chief of the Southern Territory since January 2023, where her greatest joy is continuing to lead individuals into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tuesday Workshops
Presentations by Disaster Experts and Partner Organizations
Best Practices in Long-Term Recovery
Case Study: Med Jets Flight 056 Plane Crash in Philadelphia
Case Study: The Bucksnort TN Industrial Explosion
Food Service & Safety: How Cambro Can Help
How to Survive an Inter-Territorial IMT Deployment
Post-Deployment Care for Disaster Workers
Videography & Photography: Tips and Tricks for EDS Professionals
Working With Indigenous Peoples
Thursday Workshops
Presentations by Disaster Experts and Partner Organizations2025 Texas Floods: Response and Casework Innovations
An Introduction to Hummingly Resilience Training
Build Your Own Tabletop Exercise
Case Study: 2024/2025 Canadian Wildfires
Case Study: Hurricane Melissa – The Jamaican Response
Introducing the New Online Disaster Management System
New EDS Directors’ Forum
Marketing Is Deployment: Funding the Mission Before, During, and After the Storm
Talkshops
Facilitated Discussions on Key Topics in Disaster Services Work
Disaster Training
Divisional Training Programs
Emotional & Spiritual Care
Chutes & Ladders: The Long-Term Recovery Journey
Partnerships/VOAD
Public Information
Response
Vendors / Supplies / Purchasing
Special Events
National World War II Museum
(Wednesday lunch and tour sponsored by Embassy Specialty Vehicles)
Named by Tripadvisor as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations can understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Learn More
The Riverboat Creole Queen
(Thursday dinner on the river)
Step back into the glamour and romance of the riverboat era with a cruise aboard the Paddle-wheeler Creole Queen! Fellowship with conference attendees while you enjoy a New Orlean-inspired buffet of great food and relax admire scenic views of the Mississippi River of the unforgettable skyline of the Big Easy from the French Quarter to the Huey P. Long Bridge. Learn More
La Pavillon Hotel
833 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA
Our conference venue is the glamorous and grand, completely reimagined Le Pavillon Hotel. This Marriott property welcomes guests with a lavish design that honors its storied past and promises to turn history ‘upside’. Nicknamed the “Belle of New Orleans,” Le Pavillon is located just minutes away from the French Quarter in the Central Business District. This classically elegant historic hotel with furnishings from the Grand Hotel in Paris is updated with modern amenities and plenty of New Orlean charm, including La Pavilion’s signature late night treat: free peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Learn More
Sponsors
Do you have a product, vehicle, technology, or service that needs to be shared with our cadre of disaster service professionals? Sponsorship opportunities for this event are now open. Download our Sponsorship Prospectus or contact Ms. Tyra Gore at tyra.gore@uss.salvationarmy.org for more information.For More information
For more information about this event or to register, please contact your divisional or territorial disaster team.
