The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida will have a FREE Emergency Preparedness Conference for people with disabilities March 22 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department in Ocala. ASL interpreters will be provided.

Emergency Management Director Preston Bowlin will present on behalf of Marion County’s Sheriff Department. He will verify that the special needs registry is up to par for each county, making sure special needs shelters are fully equipped in an emergency situation.

Ben Nelson, a national weatherman from Jacksonville, will speak on weather preparedness.

A representative from Ocala’s fire department will share how they prepare when emergencies threaten to strike.

The last session will be a panel of these speakers; Kevin Towels, a representative from the CIL; Kyle Drummer, Marion County’s communications manager; Randy Ming, from the Health Department for Shelters; Amy Brault, Marion Senior Services volunteer coordinator; and Andrea Melvin, CIL’s satellite office manager, who will host the conference. Attendees can ask any questions on the topics.

The vendors involved with the conference are: Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, Marian County Sheriff’s Department, United Way, Ocala Fire, County Fire, Marion Senior Service, Shine, Seco Electric, Home Instead Senior Care, Visiting Angels, Kindred Hospice, Health South, Hearth of Florida, and Ocala PD.

If transportation is needed, contact Suntran (352-401-6999) or Marion Senior Services (352-620-3071). Say it is for the Emergency Preparedness Conference on March 22. Transportation should be free.

Registration is preferred and will be open until March 21, 8:30 a.m.