On May 22, 2025, the Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) hosted its ninth annual symposium, marking the first in-person event in six years. Held at The Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, this year’s symposium, themed Lessons in Action, brought together public safety and homeland security professionals from across the country to examine critical incidents, identify best practices, and explore how organizations can adapt in the face of adversity.
The daylong event featured a dynamic keynote address, an in-depth panel discussion, and two presentations, each offering unique insights into response, resilience, and operational evolution. Guiding the day’s conversation was moderator Jonathon Monken, a seasoned national security and emergency management expert. The day’s events are outlined below.
Keynote: Nick Lavery
The symposium opened with a compelling keynote by Nick Lavery, an active-duty Green Beret and the first above-the-knee amputee to return to active service. Lavery shared his personal journey of injury, recovery, and return to duty, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience, relentless training, and the will to overcome. His story set a powerful tone for the day, underscoring the human element behind operational excellence.
Panel Discussion: Political Extremism in Context
The symposium’s panel discussion, Political Extremism in Context: History, Law, and National Implications, featured Dr. Michael Jensen, Dr. John Horgan, and Michael Vesely, alongside event moderator Jonathon Monken. The panelists explored the motivations and tactics behind political extremism, the legal challenges of prosecuting homegrown terrorism, and the importance of data-driven research in shaping public understanding and policy.
Charlottesville: A Case Study in Organizational Trauma
Emily Pelliccia, Deputy Chief of Community Risk and Resilience for Albermarle County Fire Rescue, shared a deeply personal and professional account of her experience during the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her presentation focused on the lasting organizational trauma endured by local government agencies and how they have since worked to rebuild trust, revise policies, and foster long-term resilience.
Beyond Borders: Lessons Learned from the Surfside Collapse
Captain David Nunez and Firefighter James Dobson of Florida Task Force II’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team recounted their experience responding to the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse. Their session highlighted the innovative search techniques employed during the mission and the subsequent changes in training protocols to better reflect real-world conditions.
The 2025 MDERS Symposium was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, who praised both the content and structure of the event. One participant shared, “The entire event was great, and I found many things applicable to my personal life and to my practice.” Another remarked, “The symposium this year offered speakers from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives related to public safety. This was wonderful, as they each brought unique knowledge to those in attendance.” This broad range of insights contributed to a dynamic and engaging experience for all involved.
The 2025 MDERS Symposium provided a valuable forum for reflection, learning, and connection. By sharing lessons from the field, whether from regional tragedies or large-scale national incidents, attendees left with a deeper understanding of what it takes to build resilient systems and communities prepared to respond to the unexpected.
Written by Elizabeth Adams