Disasters Focus of Three Day Seminar in Virginia

Disaster response is the focus of a three-day seminar in Richmond, Va., this week.

The Virginia Emergency Management Symposium will be held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa Short Pump through Friday.

The seminar will include discussions on emergency response to the April 2011 tornado outbreak in Virginia, the May 31 bus crash in Caroline County that killed four passengers, and the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that was centered in Mineral on Aug. 23.

Wednesday’s keynote speaker is Rob Dudgeon, San Francisco’s director of emergency services. He’ll speak about the 1989 San Francisco earthquake and public preparedness.

On Friday, Capt. Frank Duarte of the Pima County (Ariz.) Sheriff’s Office will discuss regional response to the shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.