News  MEMA Brings Together More Than 400 Emergency Management Professionals from 16 States for Regional Preparedness Summit

WORCESTER — The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in partnership with the Northeast Emergency Management Training & Education Center (NEMTEC), hosted more than 400 attendees from 16 states at an emergency management preparedness summit this week at the DCU Center.

The summit, “Navigating the Storm Together,” convened emergency management professionals and leaders across federal, state and local government, as well as the private sector and nonprofit organizations, to strengthen collaboration, share best practices and enhance preparedness and resilience across New England.

The event, held on Sept. 9 and 10, featured expert speakers, information sessions and training opportunities for attendees.

“As we saw with the success of this year’s World Cup, emergency management plays in a crucial role in connecting all aspects of public safety, and summits like this are essential in building the knowledge and relationships needed among professionals at the local, state and federal level, as well as the private and nonprofit sectors,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “I’m proud that Massachusetts has convened this special program with so many partners from across the country.”

“With September being Emergency Preparedness Month, it was the perfect time to hold this summit and offer colleagues throughout New England the opportunity to build their knowledge base and learn the most current trends in the field,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “We’re grateful to our speakers and attendees for helping make this event a huge success.”

Speakers included Dr. Clara Decerbo, director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency, who discussed the public safety response and reunification efforts involved in the Dec. 13, 2025, shooting at Brown University in Providence, and David Kaufman, vice president and director for safety and security at the Center for Naval Analyses, who presented on “Risk and Resilience in a Changing World.”

“New York State is proud to be a member of the Northeast Emergency Management Training and Education Center, and along with our neighboring states, we are collaborating to develop and share trainings that are comprehensive, consistent, and accessible ensuring our emergency managers are prepared and ready to respond when called upon,” said New York State Director of Emergency Management Pete Cichetti. “After a historic summer of mass gathering events in New York State and across the country, this summit is a great opportunity to share new ideas and learn best practices from subject matter experts — and I thank the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for hosting."

“When emergency managers work together, we're all better equipped to manage a disaster,” said Vermont Emergency Management Director Eric Forand. “We always welcome the chance to learn from others and share Vermont’s experiences to benefit the people of New England and beyond.”

“Being able to work alongside others in the region to learn and support each other is key during blue sky days,” said New Hampshire Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Robert Buxton. “Events like the emergency management preparedness summit provide a platform for collaboration and idea sharing that build a foundation for success.”

The two-day summit featured over 20 breakout sessions covering issues such as continuity of operations and building stronger disaster response partnerships, as well as regional planning related to the FIFA World Cup Boston 2026.

In addition, several half-day training sessions were offered, including one focusing on Recovery Resource Centers, which provide a centralized location where survivors of disasters can connect with a range of recovery resources and organizations in one place, and one that offered best practices for effectively communicating with the public during emergencies.