International disaster and emergency resilience (IDER) 2009

IDER is the annual conference, with exhibits, where best practices and solutions to ensure readiness for, response to, recovery from and resilience for disasters and major emergencies, whether caused by nature, accident or terrorism are identified, implemented and shown.

IDER is an international forums where specialists in disaster readiness meet to develop effective disaster avoidance, readiness and response techniques and strategies. With the increasing concern over national and international security due to the heightened threats of global terrorism, as well as the omnipresent chances of natural and man-made disasters, it is essential for the international community to work together, to share information and good practices and to integrate response to disasters however they may be caused. IDER presents a substantial and unrivalled opportunity for national and local governments, international organisations, emergency services and industry to share experiences and knowledge.

IDER is the only conference and exhibition in its field to be truly international – previous IDERs have seen participants from over 30 countries in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

Covering both human and natural disasters, from fire and flood to terrorist attack, IDER has explored the role of the media during disasters, training for preparedness, planning initiatives, disaster responder/emergency services interoperability and international standards and certification. IDER uses case studies, such as on earthquakes, floods, fires and terrorist attacks, to identify the many lessons to be learnt and, very importantly, identify “best practice”.

Topics to be covered:

Opening Session
This keynote session will address the broad issues of international disaster readiness and response and highlight the importance of integration between the different response agencies, the role of good communications and some of the key challenges that are faced in our fast moving world.

Critical National Infrastructure
Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) is the framework on which our nations are based. How vulnerable are they to natural or man-made disaster and what is being put in place to make them more resilient? This session addresses the issues and asks the question, "are we doing enough?"

Responding to disasters on Transport Systems
As population and trade increase around the world transport becomes ever more congested. This session looks at how transport organisations plan for safety to reduce risks as well as preparing for and responding to disaster. What are the knock-on effects and how can the transport industry learn from each other?

Lessons Identified – Case Studies
Disasters, whether natural or man-made, continue to happen. Has the world in the 21st Century identified the lessons that need to be addressed in order to prevent disasters or improve the response to lessen their impact? This session will use case studies of recent disasters to assess the lessons whether learned or simply identified.

Effective land-use planning to avoid disasters such as flooding
Global warming, the threat of flooding and sea level rises and increasing populations put ever more pressure on land use. There are now 27 so-called mega-cities with a population of over 10 million. This session addresses how Planning Authorities are addressing the risks to land-use to avoid major disasters?

NGOs
When disasters happen many NGOs respond. How effective are they and how do they meet the challenge of integrating their response with other NGOs, governments and the host country? This session focuses on the important contribution that the NGOs make to disaster response and the challenges they face.

Resilient Cities
There are many risks that major cities face. This session will explore the vital links between businesses, government agencies and emergency services in the face of natural and man-made threats to major cities.

Pandemic Flu
Swine flu, and its largely unpredictable spread around the world, has heightened concerns about the threat. This session will consider whether we have done enough to prepare the world for an effective response to the recently declared pandemic flu epidemic.

IDER 2009 is supported by:
European Commission
MSB (the new Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency)
International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM),
Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management (ICPEM) - a recent merger of the Institute of Civil Defence and Disaster Studies and the Institute of Emergency Management
European Training & Simulation Association (ETSA)