BURT WALLRICH

From January, 2001 to June, 2003, Burt Wallrich was Coordinator of the effort to implement 2-1-1 dialing throughout California. 2-1-1 is a simplified dialing code, parallel to 9-1-1, for accessing health and human services information and referral. 2-1-1 has proven to be a valuable component of a public information system in disaster situations.

Prior to leading the California effort, 2-1-1 Wallrich was a charter member of the Board of Emergency Network Los Angeles (ENLA). ENLA pioneered a new type of community preparedness network that includes local government emergency management agencies, the local affiliates of the national VOAD relief agencies and, most notably, local non-profit and faith-based organizations that were previously not considered part of a comprehensive emergency plan.

Wallrich has written extensively on the concept of inclusive community preparedness networks and conducted trainings and workshops around the country, helping to build them in other areas.

Wallrich is now President of Emergency Network Builders LLC. Emergency Network Builders LLC provides consulting services to local emergency management agencies that are seeking to foster a comprehensive community preparedness network that includes local non-profit and faith-based organizations as well as government, national relief organizations, and trained volunteers.

Wallrich can be reached at bwallrich at emnetwork.us. The web site for Emergency Network Builders LLC is www.emnetwork.us.