MMRS 2008 National Meeting 

22-23 May 2008 (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE) 

Washington, DC 

MMRS – CHARTING THE FUTURE COURSE 

“The Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) program 

assists designated localities to develop and maintain plans, 
conduct training and exercises, and acquire pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment 
to achieve the enhanced capability necessary to respond to a mass casualty event during the 
first crucial hours of such an event, until significant external resources arrive and become 
operational.” 

CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION: 

The 2008 Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Conference, co-hosted by the 
Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs (OHA) and the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), is intended to provide a 
forum for MMRS participants, State Administrative Agencies, State Homeland Security 
Advisors, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal officials and private sector 
partners to discuss issues impacting the nation’s prevention, protection, response and recovery 
capability. 

Identification of issues and challenges and the development of actionable solution sets will be 
the major thrust of this conference; we plan to provide the opportunity for interaction and idea 
exchange between States, MMRS jurisdictions, and Department of Homeland Security and 
other federal officials, cities, and private sector. Roundtables and panel discussions will be the 
dominant format. Panels will include subject matter experts with real life experience and 
examples to share. 

Information will be shared via GPD’s Secure Portal including post conference reports and 
message boards for sharing plans and information on issues that affect all of the MMRS 
jurisdictions. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: 

The goal of the conference is to: 

1. 
Bring together those involved in MMRS programs in order to provide a forum for 
exchange of information on local and State MMRS technical and managerial aspects of 
the program. 
2. 
Provide an opportunity for sharing best practices from MMRS participants. 
3. 
Provide an opportunity to re-examine local and State MMRS procedures and practices, 
and to assess the overall national programmatic objectives of MMRS. 
MMRS program managers and participants from all disciplines, State Administrative Agencies, 
State Homeland Security Advisors, federal agencies and vendors are invited to attend this 
Conference and learn valuable information on how MMRS programs are managed and to learn 
the latest developments in homeland security policies that impact MMRS operations. In addition 
DHS representatives will be available to discuss requirements for planning and reporting grant 
activities that directly affect MMRS grant recipients. 


TENTATIVE AGENDA*: 

May 22 – DAY ONE of the National MMRS Conference will include opening remarks by key 
Federal leaders, a guided and interactive discussion on the national strategy and identity of 
MMRS, and a panel discussion addressing preparedness for the medical and public health 
consequences of catastrophic incidents. 

May 23 – DAY TWO of the National MMRS Conference will provide the opportunity for working 
meetings at the Regional level to discuss major strategic issues that impact MMRS programs. 

* A more detailed agenda will be provided as details are formalized by DHS and the conference 
planning group. 
ATTENDEE PROFILE: 

The Conference is designed for a multi–disciplinary group of MMRS participants from each 
MMRS city around the nation. The conference will also host technical and managerial 
professionals from government, industry, and academia.