Please be mindful of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute attendance policy: To receive training credit, a participant must attend the entire class. For six-hour classes, anyone arriving more than 30 minutes after the class begins, leaving class repeatedly, or leaving the class early will not receive credit. Class completion forms must be signed by the participant and the instructor and provided to the instructor at the end of the class. Class instructors will not sign class completion forms in the event the attendance criteria cited herein are not met by the participant.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Aileen Harris.

Lodging:  GMA has reserved a limited number of rooms at the Origin Atlanta, a Wyndham Hotel, for the night of November 12 at a rate of $109 per night, plus taxes and fees. The hotel is conveniently located directly across the street from the GMA offices at 110 Mitchell St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. To reserve your room please use the GMA hotel link. 

Cancellations: Cancellations after November 3 will NOT be refunded.

Class Description--Steering Through the Storm: Guiding Your Community Through a Disaster During times of natural or human-made disasters and pandemics, cities are often faced with the challenge of steering through the “storm,” continuing city business operations, and communicating effectively, to meet the basic needs of their community as well as managing the needs and demands of the on-going recovery operation. While the initial focus following a major disaster is to respond to the life safety aspects of the emergency, multiple tasks will quickly emerge to face the local leadership team. Is your city prepared for the organizational resiliency necessary to sustain regular services as well as emergency operations during the four distinct phases of a disaster? What is the role of elected leaders in these scenarios? This class will define the various types of disasters, review the four phases of a disaster and the planning and preparedness required for community resilience in responding to disasters, exploring methods for prioritizing crucial essential services, and recognizing the multiple impacts on the local economy, city services and city staff. This class includes some content from the previous class, “Emergency Management.” Those who previously took Emergency Management can take this class and receive credit towards a training certificate.