Event Registration
SE District Education May 2026 – Emergency Readiness and Crisis Response for Long-Term Care5/7/20269am3pm
Venue
Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404
Register
SE District Education May 2026 – Emergency Readiness and Crisis Response for Long-Term Care
Program Description
Be prepared for what matters most. This district education event is designed to help long-term care providers strengthen emergency preparedness plans and respond with confidence during high-risk situations. The day begins with an interactive emergency preparedness workshop focused on reviewing key planning elements, identifying common gaps and strengthening coordination with community resources, followed by an active shooter response training in the afternoon.
This program is designed for long-term care professionals responsible for emergency preparedness, operations and resident safety. Nursing facility administrators, assisted living leaders, directors of nursing, department heads and others involved in emergency planning will gain practical strategies to strengthen their preparedness efforts, identify gaps in current plans and improve coordination with staff and community partners to better protect residents and respond effectively during critical situations.
Participants will be encouraged to bring their facility’s emergency preparedness plan, evacuation plan and emergency contact lists to reference during the workshop, with time built in to review materials, discuss challenges and identify practical next steps they can implement right away.
Location
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids
Schedule
May 7, 2026
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Registration/Check-In
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Beyond the Plan: Building Real-World Emergency Readiness in LTC
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (provided)
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Active Shooter Response Training
Session Descriptions
Beyond the Plan: Building Real-World Emergency Readiness in LTC – Speaker: Brian Feist
This interactive workshop is designed to help long-term care providers move beyond regulatory compliance and build practical, real-world emergency preparedness capabilities. Participants will review the core elements of an effective emergency preparedness program, explore common gaps seen across long-term care settings and discuss strategies to strengthen planning, communication and coordination.
Through facilitated discussion and scenario-based exercises, attendees will work through realistic emergencies such as severe weather events, power outages and evacuation situations. The session emphasizes collaboration with community partners—including emergency management, public health, EMS and health care organizations—to enhance coordination and response.
Participants are encouraged to bring their facility’s emergency preparedness plan and will leave with actionable steps to improve readiness, strengthen partnerships and better protect residents and staff during emergencies.
Active Shooter Response Training – Speaker: Darren Smiley
This training provides long-term care professionals with practical guidance on how to recognize, respond to and communicate during an active shooter event. The interactive session is designed to walk participants through realistic scenarios, exploring decision-making in high-stress situations, discussing coordination with staff and first responders and identifying strategies to protect residents and staff during a rapidly evolving incident.
Continuing Education Credit
This program is approved for 4.5 contact hours for:
- NF Administrators
- Assisted Living Managers
- Nurses
- Department Heads
- Activity Professionals
- Social Services
Registration Fees
Members: $125 per person
This event is only available to IHCA members.
Speakers
Brian Feist, Director of Emergency Preparedness, Midwest QIN-QIO
Darren Smiley, Cattail Risk Management
Sponsored by:



