From a 72-hour survival kit for safekeeping at home or the office and emergency food rations for just-in-case situations, to a trailer that converts into a hospital or command centre within seconds and new audio-video technology that allows employees to meet ‘face-to-face’ with co-workers even when emergency situations prevent them from going into the office, the 18th World Conference on Disaster Management (WCDM) exhibits will unveil a wide range of innovative products and services that enable Canadians to prepare for and respond to disasters, no matter what form they take.

“Recent world events have made it clear that no one is immune when it comes to preparing for disaster,” said Adrian Gordon, President and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness (CCEP), presenter of WCDM in partnership with Diversified Business Communications - Canada (DBCC). “In today’s reality of rapidly changing weather systems, emerging health risks, aging infrastructure and terrorist threats, everyone needs to be aware of the tools required to ensure a rapid and effective response to emergency situations,” he explained.

“Both consumers and businesses will benefit from the exhibit showcase at this premier international event for emergency preparedness, to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from June 15 to 18, 2008,” says Chuck Wright, Group Event Director of DBCC. The conference portion of the event - which draws emergency management and business continuity professionals, emergency responders, public health, security, military, and government personnel, and IT disaster recovery experts from more than 40 countries - features a roster of more than 85 leading Canadian and world experts, representing all areas of disaster management, who will review lessons learned from past events, and discuss issues and new developments surrounding pandemic planning, climate change, natural disasters, business continuity, and cyber issues and threats.

Highlights of the more than 100 exhibits - open to the public for $25 on June 16 and 17 - include:

- A 72-hour emergency kit featuring all the items a person needs to survive the aftermath of a disaster. Designed for both home and office use, the kit - complete with a fluorescent carry-bag - includes three-day food and water rations, water purification tablets, a foil blanket that retains body heat, glow-in-the-dark sticks, a radio, a flashlight, and items needed to help users rescue themselves if needed, such as a rope, gloves, goggles, a shovel, and more.

- A full-size truck that converts into a self-contained mobile hospital operating room, command centre or temporary sleeping quarters within seconds. With the ability to react quickly in the event of a disaster, the vehicle - unlike tents used for make-shift hospitals - provides a sterile environment, and comes equipped with positive and negative pressure for a hospital environment.

- A Pandemic 101 Home Preparedness Kit, consisting of a family readiness guide, pandemic preparedness DVD, and a six-week supply of personal protective products - including gloves, masks, sanitizers, thermometers, biohazard bags, goggles, shoe covers and more - to help reduce the chances of exposure or infection during a pandemic. The event will also provide the venue for the launch of a Pandemic 101 Kit for both small and large businesses, complete with software that helps companies take the mystery out of this growing threat and prepare for the unexpected.

- A new, unique software solution will be launched at the event by CriSys Limited, aimed at helping communities and businesses ensure they’re prepared for the worst. Called XpertDisaster™, a first in the category of disaster readiness, this technology enables users - with a couple of computer keystrokes - to instantly implement their emergency preparedness plans with complete resource and step-by-step to-do lists based on the type of disaster and its severity, including contact numbers, list of necessary supplies, and detailed maps to help respond to emergencies.

- A display by Meal Kit Supply Canada of the emergency food rations that a person, family or business should have on hand in case of emergency. Featured in the film “Blindness” starring Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Sandra Oh and Danny Glover, which opened this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the company’s meal kits - which are self-heating and have a five-year shelf life - were also transported to the aftermath site of Hurricane Katrina.

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