Pandemic flu summit to focus on media role

BANGOR – An online registration site has been set up for a major collaborative summit on pandemic flu between Maine’s media, the health community, municipalities and businesses, set for June 6 at the Bangor Civic Center.

“Media and Community: Planning Together to Confront Crisis” will provide an opportunity for those involved to develop individual and community responses to a widespread emergency.

The summit has two goals: to educate the media as to its response role, and to encourage and integrate the media in the emergency planning process.

Speakers for the event will be Tom Fitzpatrick, a Sept. 11, 2001, veteran of New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani’s staff; Dick Lewis, winner of American’s Best Broadcaster Award and Clear Channel radio’s regional vice president for Katrina-ravaged southern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast; Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and Art Cleaves, director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Conference topics include the role of media as emergency responder, a primer on the State’s Incident Command System, mental health response and staying safe.

The daylong event also will include a panel discussion with Dr. Don Hoenig, state veterinarian, reporter Mal Leary, and Suzanne Goucher, president and CEO of the Maine Association of Broadcasters.

The day’s moderator will be Dr. Erik Steele, vice president chief medical officer for EMHS and Bangor Daily News columnist.

The summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, and the cost for each attendee is $15.

Preregistration is required at www.mainedisasterplanning.com.