Event Sessions

This informative and interactive session will focus on the details that make all the difference.  Task lists, supplies, communication plans, and shared understanding of responsibilities and roles are all key to emergency planning and successful emergency response.  Learn practical and deployable strategies for keeping everyone informed and calm with the structures and equipment they need to meet the challenges of emergency situations. 

Andy Balendy, VP of Operations, Guided Discoveries, Inc. (CIMI, AstroCamp, Catalina SeaCamp, Camp CHOP)

Andy began working with Guided Discoveries, Inc. in 1998 as a marine science instructor.  Since then, he has held numerous roles within the organization, including serving as the program director or site director for each of their five facilities and international programs.  In addition to experience as a scuba instructor, wilderness EMT, and Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Ecology and minor in Marine Science from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. 

FireWorks (www.frames.gov/fireworks/home) is an educational program about the science of wildland fire, designed for K-12 students but applicable and fun for all. This presentation will provide an overview of the FireWorks program and will demonstrate several hands-on activities that will engage kids in camp settings. Participants will learn several activities and how to access or create specialized materials.

Ilana Abrahamson, Supervisory Ecologist, Missoula Fire Science Laboratory

Ilana Abrahamson is a supervisory ecologist with the US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory.  Ilana manages the Fire Effects Information System (FEIS), which is an online database of research syntheses about fire ecology and fire regimes in the United States. She also manages and writes hands-on activities for the FireWorks Educational Program, which teaches students about the science of wildland fire. 

In this session, we will go over some of the principles of emergency management and give attendees the tools they need to quickly distill important information and understand what they need to know during a stressful situation. We will highlight important resources for staying updated on wildfires and understanding fire behavior, and how to help support emergency response and recovery efforts.

Ozzie Barron, Cofounder, Project:Camp

The Co-Founder and Deputy Director of Project:Camp, Ozzie’s goal isn’t simply to provide a safe space for kids whose lives have been disrupted by natural disasters, but to help them learn, grow and thrive as a result. Having had an impactful, transformative experience as a camper and counselor at summer camp, Ozzie and the Project:Camp team aim to provide the same mentorship, humor and sense of belonging that they associate with camp for kids who need it most.