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The Messenger
August 28, 2025
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Homeland Security
UT Commons Conference Center
Venue Address:
The CAPCOG Homeland Security Division is bringing together national experts to discuss emergency alert messaging for disaster and incident response. The full-day, interactive conference will give local government officials — appointed and elected — a chance to learn about best practices for engaging the public when it matters the most and to discuss issues with alerting tools and the messages they deliver. Attendees also will conduct multiple exercises on drafting and sending emergency messages.
Speakers
Dr. Jeannette Sutton will provide the conference’s keynote discussion speaking about effective and concise public alert messaging.
Sutton is a sociologist and risk communication scholar whose research focuses on disaster and risk with a primary focus on online informal communication and public alert warning systems, which often deliver short or brief messages. Her research investigates the evolving role information and communication technology for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
She is the founder of The Warn Room, LLC, which provides guides and trains public safety personnel in delivering public alerts. Sutton has held numerous grants from the National Science Foundation, NOAA, U.S. Geological Survey, FEMA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of Naval Research.
Eddie Bertola, an emergency notification expert, will discuss mass notification strategies and public engagement during emergencies.
Bertola is the owner of Bertola Advisory Services which provides consultation and training for public safety personnel and companies about mass notification strategies, missing person alerts, and how to engage the public during disasters. He has trained nationally and internationally on improving the effectiveness of emergency messaging. Before founding Bertola Advisory Services, he served on the California Highway Patrol for 15 years ending his career as the lead statewide instructor for AMBER, Blue and Silver Alerts, as well as Endangered Missing Advisories for the Counterterrorism and Threat Awareness Section. He has received several awards and commendations during his career including a California State Senate Resolution for Distinguished Service. Bertola holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and serves on California Child Abduction Task Force board.
Special Guests
Mannie Centeno, FEMA’s IPAWS director, has worked at FEMA since 2010 as the Office of National Continuity Programs, IPAWS Program Manager before becoming the director. His work helped ensure presidential communications can reach U.S. residents under any circumstances. Centeno’s work has been pivotal in enhancing emergency communication and collaborating with the mass media industry. He helped lead the first nationwide emergency alert system test in 2011.
David Wagner, Everbridge president and CEO, has more than 30 years of leadership experience and a record of successfully leading, growing and transforming B2B SaaS software companies; leading teams to transform products and optimize go-to-market execution; building customer success and mission-driven employee cultures; and delivering shareholder value.
Special Instructions
To promote a professional environment, CAPCOG requires proper business casual attire. T-shirts, shorts, capri pants, and flip-flops are prohibited. Meals will be provided for this event.