As disasters continue to happen across the nation, it's crucial to be prepared for the next one. Train derailments, active shooters, flooding, and landslides have occurred in the Puget Sound region before and can happen again. If you want to be ready, attend the Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference on April 4-6 at the Tacoma Marriott.

Businesses of all sizes, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, government organizations, utilities, non-profits, and more are welcome to attend the conference. The agenda includes subject matter experts on various topics, such as how to handle misinformation and disinformation during a disaster by Kate Starbird of the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public. Jolie Wills of Hummingly will also discuss the Psychology of Disaster, a topic rarely addressed in emergency preparedness.

The Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference has been an annual event since the 1990s and is a crucial place to meet and network with others in the preparedness community. The relationships formed during the conference often extend well beyond it, resulting in partnerships and collaborations that pay dividends during disasters. One such example is the Oso Landslide, where these partnerships proved helpful nine years ago.

KIRO Newsradio, the primary Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station in Washington State, takes preparedness seriously and is always working to enhance readiness planning. The station has partnered with the Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference to help strengthen the ability to remain on-air and serve the community during disasters.

To establish and grow your disaster preparedness skills, consider attending the Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference. Registration is cost-effective and available at www.piepc.org.