By Major Joy Staab

STEVENS POINT — Wisconsin emergency managers from across the state gathered in Stevens Point on Sept. 12 for the 10th Annual Wisconsin Emergency Management Association (WEMA) Conference.

The conference, held at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center, was organized to discuss “best practices for keeping the citizens of Wisconsin safe.”

The mission of WEMA is to advocate, promote, and represent statewide emergency management interests in order to enhance the safety and security of all citizens.

“Each year, Wisconsin Emergency Management Association holds its annual conference to give our members the opportunity to hear lessons learned from events in Wisconsin and throughout the United States,” said WEMA President Amy Nehls. “If each member takes back one idea to implement or remembers one strategy to utilize in their local emergency situation then we have been successful in our efforts.”

The conference focused on preparing for the worst case scenario. Guest speakers spoke about a hurricane response in the U.S. Virgin Islands, managing the Jayme Closs search, and lessons learned from the Husky Energy Refinery explosion.

 “The WEMA conference provided an excellent opportunity to continue to build relationships across the state with County Emergency Managers and First Responders,” Lieutenant Colonel Josephine Daniels, Wisconsin Army National Guard current operations branch chief. “Having these relationships established and understanding how we best support one another prior to an emergency provides for the necessary Wisconsin Emergency Management and Wisconsin National Guard ‘Speed to Response’ to protect lives, safety, and property for the citizens of Wisconsin.”