The City of Newport News is hosting the 2016 Virginia Department of Emergency Management Symposium this week at the Marriott at City Center. The symposium began the evening of Tuesday, March 29th and runs through today. City Manager Jim Bourey provided the welcome to attendees and Adam Thiel, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the Commonwealth of Virginia, provided opening remarks.

Topics covered during this year’s symposium include hurricane preparedness, avian and influenza outbreaks, unmanned aerial systems, active shooter training, World Police and Fire Games, Winter Storm Jonas, the Charleston 9 and building a successful training exercise. This annual symposium is an opportunity for emergency managers across the Commonwealth of Virginia to share valuable information and to help plan and prepare for a response to any type of emergency. There are over 300 participants this year, which is the largest symposium ever.