For release: March 7, 2012
For press information, contact Jenci Spradlin, 731-225-6848

A public forum dealing with earthquakes in West Tennessee will be held Friday, March 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lambuth Campus of the University of Memphis.  The forum is one of a continuing series of events sponsored by the U of M’s Papasan Public Policy Institute.  This particular forum is also co-sponsored by the West Tennessee Seismic Safety Commission (WTSSC).

The forum will be held in the Jack Morris Ballroom of the Wilder Student Union.  Event parking will be available on Maple Street across from the Student Union.  Lunch will be provided. 

There is no charge to attend the forum, but RSVPs are requested by March 9.  Registration is available online at www.memphis.edu/govern/papasan.htm.  Registration may also be made by phone with Ms. Beverly Cook at 901-678-5561.

The program will consist of four 20-minute presentations followed by a panel discussion.  Panelists will include experts in emergency management, emergency communications, security, first response, health care services, seismology and geology, emergency management, and policy.

Speakers will be Gary Patterson, geologist with the U of M’s Center for Earthquake Research and information (CERI); Dr. Steve Horton, seismologist with CERI; Charlie Bryant, assistant director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA); and Marty Clements, director of the Jackson/Madison County Emergency Management Agency (JMC-EMA).

Patterson will discuss “200 Years and Counting: The New Madrid Quakes of 1811-12.”  Horton will talk about “Recent Earthquakes in the Eastern United States.”  Bryant will discuss “The Tennessee Floods of 2011.”  Clements’ topic will be “Preparing Madison County for Future Disasters.”

The presenters will be among the panelists.  Other panelists will include Kevin Cagle, 2012 president of the Emergency Management Association of Tennessee; Mark Hollomon, communications director of TEMA; Kevin Brent of the Motorola Corporation and 2012 vice chairman of the WTSSC; Cliff DeBerry of Memphis Light Gas and Water and 2012 chairman of the WTSSC; James Meddling, director of the Dyer County EMA; Gary Graves, Millington fire chief; and Greg Galfano of the Tennessee Department of Health.

All forum attendees will be registered for a drawing to win a 4,000-watt generator.  Red Cross disaster kits and other items will also be awarded.

The forum is presented with the cooperation of TEMA, JMC-EMA, CERI, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).