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	SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA STATEWIDE CERT CONFERENCE Pam Amburgey, Public Information Officer, Seminole County CERT Association, Inc. Seminole County CERT Association, Inc., sponsored the 2^nd Annual Florida Statewide CERT conference, in Lake Mary, Florida. This year’s event was spectacular, and had over 300 participants representing their counties, while 20 vendors were on hand to show their latest and greatest safety items. This year, the conference had an increase of static displays that included apparatus from Seminole County, and helicopters from Firestar – Orange County Fire / Rescue; Aircare - Orlando Regional Medical Center; and Airrescue 3 - Seminole County Public Safety.
Seminole County Roads Department put on a great safety track on working in (and around) heavy equipment during a disaster; added to this track was the department’s multitude of heavy equipment, which included front-end loaders, dump trucks, etc. Progress Energy (aka Florida Power) conducted safety tracks regarding working electrical emergencies in a disaster, while the Division of Forestry covered the many facets of safety in brush fires.
The 2003 conference also entailed an actual drill at the airport in Sanford, Florida. This drill encompassed a mid-air collision disaster in the beginning stages, and followed (thoroughly) the steps in order to support this type of disaster, which included at least 80 victims. This drill was a true success and it displayed just how closely Seminole County Public Safety and Seminole County CERT Association, Inc., trains to support one another should this type (or any type) of disaster occur within the county.
	The overall success of this conference is not only to the endless meetings and planning sessions that each year’s conference committee entails, but the success also is generated from the many CERT associations, government agencies, and vendors throughout Florida that support the conference each year. As the conference is handed off to another county every year, the 2004 Florida Statewide CERT conference is headed for Hernando County – an event that everyone is looking forward to! Remember, “Service is our passion, Excellence is our Goal!”

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