By: Mike Keyport, Emergency Management Director

For three decades Cook County Emergency Management has brought forth an Emergency Services Conference and this year will be no different. The 32nd offering of the Emergency Services Conference will be held in Grand Marais on April 19 and 20, 2024. 

Here is just some of what this year’s conference has to offer:

• North Memorial Air Care Helicopter will be on site and staff will conduct Safe Landing Training both in classroom and hands-on training.

• ARMER radio refresher training will be offered for radio users who may need some basic training or a refresher. We will also be offering ARMER radio “Train the Trainer” training. This is for people who would like to become trainers on the ARMER radio system.

• Did you know that Cook County has weather radar gaps?  There will be a session to provide information on why there are these gaps and low-level coverage in our weather radar and possible solutions in the future.

• Kevin Reed, Deputy Director, Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management will give updates from a state perspective on disasters, wildfire, and other news.

• North Shore Health staff will be on-site to conduct “Navigating & Troubleshooting, Lucas Compression Device & LifePak 15 Cardiac Monitor”. Learn the ins and outs of using this emergency equipment properly and troubleshooting.

• Luke Campbell, Minnesota Department of Health will present “De-escalating Emotionally Charged People and Situations”. This training explores a variety of useful tips and insights to remain calm in the moment, and effectively respond to aggressive statements and behaviors.

• The American Red Cross will be here with “Emergency Shelter Training”. This training will have a classroom portion to teach what an emergency shelter is and the proper form and procedures for setting up a shelter. We will also have “hands-on” training and go through the process of setting up an actual shelter.

• Arrowhead Electric will conduct training on the proper methods and procedures to be followed when a residential fire occurs. Participants will learn what is expected from our local electric cooperative so that electric power can be disconnected safely.

• The wildfire season is early this year.  Did you know that as of mid-March there already have been over 200 wildfires in Minnesota? Spruce Budworm in our forests are contributing to the wildfire risks. The University of Minnesota will be here to explain what spruce budworm is and what we can do to help. 
  
  
• The Cook County Firewise Coordinator will present what’s new and what you can do regarding our Firewise program.

• Andrea Orest, Cook County Public Health Educator will train on LivingWorks SafeTalk.  This training equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. With over 120,000 people attending each year, it’s the world’s fastest-growing suicide prevention skills training course.

• Erik Jankila, Hibbing Fire Chief, will also be here. Erik has been a trainer with multiple subjects in his repertoire in Firefighting and EMS. Erik is known throughout the region and state for his subject matter and unique teaching style.

Everyone is welcome of course. North Shore Health will be providing a great lunch on Saturday.  Registration is available on the Cook County Website and look for the recent Media Release for details and registration, or visit the registration page here. 

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.