The N.C. Division of Emergency Management is a co-sponsor of the N.C. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Conference that got underway this morning in Southport, in Brunswick County. CISM is an important part of the emergency response process so that workers who are having to deal with the response and recovery in mass casualty incidents can cope with human emotions that are often overwhelming. In light of the terrorist attacks this week and the ongoing rescue efforts of the emergency response personnel, we thought you might be interested in talking with some of the experts in this field and/or some of the 75+ emergency responders from North Carolina who are attending the conference.

The conference is being held through Sunday at the Southport Community Building on Bay Street in downtown Southport, next to the Southport Police Department. If you decide to go to the conference, Cheryl Leonard, the CISM Coordinator for North Carolina, will be glad to assist you. If you cannot travel to Southport and wish to interview someone by phone, please page Cheryl at 1-800-420-1755.

For a complete conference schedule, go to www.ncem.org/Events2001/NCCISM/nccismco.htm. If you have any questions, please call my office at 919-733-5027.