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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello conventioneers!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I apologize, sort of, for the cross-posting, but I want to make sure this information is received by as many Florida Federationists as possible, especially those of you who have, or are interested in, guide dogs.!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By now many of you have read the agenda for our state convention here in Tampa. One of our speakers will be a busy fellow on Saturday, since he will be speaking at our morning general session and also at our guide dog users seminar, which will take place from 3:00 till 5:00pm. His name is Marcus Martin, and he is with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hillsborough County Emergency Management<o:p></o:p></p><p class=ResProjbody align=left style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:left;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#002060'>Here is what his bio says:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ResProjbody align=left style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:left;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#002060'>Mr. Martin is the Division Director of Emergency Preparedness and Recovery with the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management. He has been with the Office of Emergency Management for 6 1/2 years. As an accomplished Emergency Management professional, Mr. Martin has experience spanning over 16 years in the fields of Emergency Response and Emergency Planning. Before joining the Office of Emergency Management, he served as Consultant in the Washington D.C. area working with multiple partners at the local, state and Federal levels supporting a variety of planning, training and exercises. Prior to this position, he was a professional Firefighter and Paramedic with Orange County Fire Rescue in Orlando, FL as well as the Eatonville Fire Department in Eatonville, FL. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He will of course be addressing storm preparedness at both sessions. But at our FLAGDU seminar, he will emphasize those issues which are crucial for guide dog handlers, especially when it comes to hurricane shelters and keeping you and your dog safe.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So if you have any concerns, large or small, it would be extremely helpful if you would send your questions to me so I can get them to Mr. Martin in advance. Please take advantage of the knowledge of a professional and help to make this time with him as valuable as possible for all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you don’t have a specific question but want him to cover a particular topic which relates to safety of your dog in an emergency, please email that to me as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please send your questions/topic ideas to me at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net">Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m looking forward to seeing you at our FLAGDU seminar, and will be sharing more details with you soon!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warm regards<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill O’Brien, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Florida Association of Guide Dog Users (FLAGDU)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone 813-935-0474, cell 813-767-1890<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email <a href="mailto:sherrill.obrien@verizon.net">sherrill.obrien@verizon.net</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you bac<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>