ALERT Members and Friends,
Registration for the 2021 ALERT Conference and Training Symposium is open and our tentative training agenda and line up is posted! Registration, Conference and hotel reservation information can be found at alertconference.org.
We would like to thank Tulsa PD for stepping up during these continued difficult times to host the Conference!. We are still working to finalize our agenda and will update the agenda weekly as we solidify presenters and vendors. The residual effect of Covid is creating some hurdles that we are still working through, but as details are finalized they will be posted on the website. We are optimistic and excited that this will be one of our best Conferences to date!!
After last year's cancellation, this will be our 30th Anniversary Conference! I have said in past newsletters the last few conferences we have had a varied mix of past and first time attendees. With this being our 30th Anniversary I would like to recognize as many of our "older" members as possible at the Conference. If it's been a few years since you have attended a Conference or you're unsure what a Conference is like, I would like to personally invite everyone to come to Tulsa this year! If you know a former member, let’s work to get some of these members back. Just as important as the presentations, is the networking and socializing that occurs in the evening and on breaks and down time. Part of ALERTS mission says “sharing of information, ideas and innovations in the area of emergency vehicle response operation” Also one of the objectives of our organization is “To promote a spirit of camaraderie among its members.” After the mess of the past year, what better way to share information, catch up, unwind, and just be "together" in a room with like minded folks by getting as many members as possible together this year.
Board Position Vacancies
The Board will be accepting "nominations" per requirements of ALERT International's Bylaws for the 2021-2023 Board of Directors positions of President and Secretary. If you would like to throw your hat in the running, or someone else's name in as a candidate nominee, forward your/their name to [email protected] by June 11, 2021. If you are submitting your name please include your resume. If you are nominating someone else I will reach out to your nominee.
Z man Award
Mark Y. Zylawy, “Z-Man”, a highly regarded Portland police officer, died January 27, 2008 in a tragic and untimely accident at the age of 40. He worked as a district officer in Northeast Portland for 17 years with passion, dedication and enthusiasm throughout his career.
Kenneth Lester, EVOC Coordinator at the Ontario Police College said this about Mark:
“In the small amount of time that we knew Mark, it was quite noticeable that his passion was Police Driver Training. He was a true advocate of innovation and improvement. He was also very outspoken with his positive views on networking with other training personnel, to always ensure that we were all using the latest and most innovative training material available. He knew that this was made possible by simply getting together and sharing ideas, including training triumphs and failures.”
In memory of Mark and what he stood for in regards to Emergency Vehicle Operations Training, ALERT International has set up the ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. This award is presented on an annual basis for the best innovative idea in Police Driver Training in the past year. We give out this award at our annual conference on the last night at our banquet. Do you know of a training unit or an individual that has made an impact on EVOC? It’s not too early to start thinking about someone to nominate. We welcome your submissions at [email protected].
Bruce Cabral Memorial Scholarship
ALERT International issues educational scholarships each year to children of ALERT Members. Applications are received between May 1st and August 1st each year. Applicants must (1) be a son/daughter whose parent has been a member of ALERT International for at least the 12 previous months (United States and Canada), (2) be a graduating senior (3) have a scholastic average of at least a B, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (4) plan to attend a college, university, trade or business school. Please email your application or questions to: [email protected] c/o Bruce Cabral Memorial Scholarship.
As many of you know we have a raffle the last night of the conference to help fund the Bruce Cabral Scholarship. In past years, we had many great items including TV’s, Yeti Coolers, knives, and many high dollar items from Cabela’s outdoors and other retailers. So we have lots of items to raffle off, we like to have everyone attending the conference bring something from their agency to contribute to the raffle. Again it’s not too early to start gathering coins, shirts, or anything of interest to a police officer or trainer to bring to the conference. The more items we have the more successful the raffle will be!
Social Media
Our Facebook page is constantly being updated with new information, articles, stories ect. If you haven’t already, please “Like” and follow ALERTS page. Ask all your LE friends to “Like’ as well. If you have any information you would like posted please send to me.
Regional Events
With Covid restrictions starting to ease please consider putting on a regional training event!! We have already heard from two regions who are in the early planning stage. More information will be forthcoming. If you have any questions about hosting an event please reach out to us anytime.
More updates will be coming as we start to get past this difficult year for training and law enforcement in general. Keep your heads up and continue to push the ALERT mission of continually improving police driver training and reducing and eliminating preventable automobile related line of duty injuries and deaths!
Thank you and stay safe!!
Geoff Bush
President
218-639-6177
