About the Session:
This interactive panel presentation provides a general overview of Red Cross services as they relate to individuals, families, and communities in hazard and disaster readiness and action. Special focus will be given to military families and communities. Extension educators as well as military service providers will find this panel discussion helpful as they work with military families.
The session provides information regarding: 1) relevant Red Cross programs, structures, and resources, 2) relationship management and community resilience between military installations and surrounding communities, 3) the Red Cross’ role as trusted communication link among military families in times of crisis, 4) Red Cross programming focusing on hazard mitigation and disaster preparation, and 5) recovery resources for military families, many of whom live off-base.
Presenters:
Jessica Kozel
Disaster Program Manager
American Red Cross Central Appalachian Region
Jessie Kozel is a Disaster Program Manager with the American Red Cross of the Central Appalachia Region. She has over 10 years of experience with the organization. Jessie’s emergency management career started in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Today, she is responsible for facilitating all Red Cross responses for 18 counties, ensuring that preparedness and mitigation plans are established. Jessie coordinates involvement in exercises and meetings with various agencies and works through multiple county Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) to ensure that all needs have been addressed and will be met. Jessie participates and serves as a Subject Matter Expert in developing emergency plans for other private sector organizations and is committed to continuing her education and career in Emergency Management. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, hiking and spending time outdoors.
Ed Helphinstine
Regional Manager
Red Cross Services to Armed Forces
Ed Helphinstine is the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Manager for the Central Appalachian Region of the American Red Cross. He is a results-oriented professional with nearly 30 years of experience leading and managing complex and diverse teams. Ed has been with the American Red Cross for five years, beginning his career with the Red Cross as a Disaster Program Manager. In his current role, he ensures that the needs of service members, veterans and their families are met with compassion in a geographic region of 77 counties. He is a former US Army Officer and has extensive experience and a proven record of successfully leading, building and training teams in austere environments. This experience includes training and mentoring the leadership of the Afghan Special Operations Division Intelligence Battalion, managing a multi-million-dollar overseas counternarcotics program and directing all Intelligence activities for Special Forces in Afghanistan. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Facilitator:
Christopher Plein, Ph.D.
MFLN Military Caregiving Concentration
Registration:
Learn more about this session and get the registration link here: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/92161/
The connection information will be emailed to you once you register.
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