It was a late December night when Jesse Robinson’s cell phone rang. Robinson is the Search and Rescue (SAR) and Warning Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). He answered the call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) about a missing aircraft from Scottsdale airport.

“What actions do we need to take today to ensure Arizona’s future success?” This question posed by Wendy Smith-Reeve, Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) guided close to 400 participants at DEMA’s Preparedness Symposium.