About the Conference

In recent years, the State of Texas has suffered from the effects of hurricanes like Harvey, Katrina, and others; floods in Houston and Dallas; fires in Bastrop; droughts across the State; earthquakes in North Texas caused by Oklahoma earthquake swarms; oil spills in the Gulf; and chemical fires and explosions like in West, Port Neches, and Texas City, and also the latest pandemic. However, Texas is not alone, as other states in the region have had their own share of disasters. As a result, many private, public, non-governmental, and governmental organizations, have developed an extensive body of knowledge and experience on preparedness for, mitigation of, response to, and recovery from, major disasters caused by natural phenomena and human actions.

The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and Texas A&M University (TAMU), based on their own direct involvement, are openly inviting researchers, educators, and students within academic institutions, as well as, professionals and practitioners from different disciplines, and more importantly, people and organizations from communities directly affected by disasters to build on their extensive body of knowledge and experience. Specifically, participants will share a diverse range of best practices, lessons learned (or yet to be learned), and insights gained in all dimensions of disaster readiness. This is an unprecedented opportunity to come together, and further build our collaborative capacity and strength for the Gulf Coast region to Prepare, Respond, Innovate, Mitigate, and Recover (PRIMR).

From the Co-Chairs

Howdy! As conference Co-Chairs, and on behalf of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and Texas A&M University (TAMU), we would like to extend to welcome you to the Disaster Prepare, Respond, Innovate, Mitigate, and Recovery (PRIMR) Conference, which will be held virtually on January 31 – February 4, 2021.

Although we are disappointed that you will not have the opportunity to experience our Texan Aggie hospitality in person at our campus, we sincerely hope that you will enjoy and appreciate (1) the quality of the presentations, discussions, and interactions within the technical program that that we developed with the outstanding support from the members of very dedicated organizing, steering, and programming committees that came together as a high performance team; and also, (2) the quality of the virtual venue that we selected for the delivery of the conference.

Our main goals are that (1) you will leave with a better awareness and appreciation of the various facets and dimensions of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, and also of innovations in these four areas; (2) having an engaging and stimulating environment for an open sharing and exchange of knowledge applied (through best practices), of experiences lived (through lessons learned), and of wisdom gained (though insights), will be of value to you and your organization and community; (3) you will gain a better understanding of the importance of the engagement or universities in all aspects of disasters caused by natural phenomena or human actions, from preparation and mitigation, to response and recovery, through innovation at every stage; and (4) you will be more aware of the capacity in place within TAMU, across TAMUS, and other organizations, to address disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery for the people of Texas, our Nation, and the World.

So, in closing, once these uncertain times pass, and the choppy waters we are navigating in their wake calm down, please come and visit us in Aggieland. We will be waiting….

Gig ’Em!

Jorge Vanegas, Valentini Pappa, and Cory Arcak

Conference Co-Chairs

Dr. Jorge Vanegas
Dean of the College of Architecture
Texas A&M University
[Represents Academic Affairs and the Built Environment]

Dr. Valentini Pappa
Energy Institute, Division of Research
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
Texas A&M University System
[Represents Research and the Texas A&M University System]

Dr. Cory Arcak
Director
MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness
Texas A&M University
[Represents Student Affairs and Student Engagement]