Equity Conference
July 10-13, 2003
Sponsored by the Norfolk, Virginia, Fire Department


Our emergency services family is committed to promoting a workforce that reflects the diverse make-up of the communities we serve. This conference is designed to explore the challenges of identifying and overcoming the obstacles to organizational diversity. We will discuss how to build new avenues of access to employment, creation of programs aimed at preparation, and familiarization with the testing requirements. Workshops will be offered by: Dr. Portia Rawles, Regent University; Chief Rosemary Cloud, East Point Georgia Fire Department; Chief Rocco Forte, Minneapolis Fire Department; Jack Gravely, J. D. and Paul Brown, University of Maryland Fire-Rescue Institute with mor e speakers to be announced.

Conference Schedule
Check-in will take place Thursday evening and Friday morning. A continental breakfast will be offered each morning, workshops will last all day. A banquet dinner on Friday night will feature an address from our keynote speaker. Several self-guided activities will be available after the workshops on Saturday. The conference will close on Sunday with a "Town Hall Meeting" where our guest speakers and chiefs will respond to questions from the attendees.

Host Hotel & Area Info
The Sheraton Norfolk Waterside will again be our host hotel for lodging and all conference events. The conference rate is $109 per night if the reservation is made by June 8. This rate is good for July 8 - July 16. The Sheraton Norfolk Waterside is situated on the scenic downtown waterfront and features a restaurant, health club, and pool. To make reservations call 757-622-6664 or 800-325-3535. There are 60+ restaurants, two shopping malls, and many tourist attractions all within walking distance of the hotel. There is a free electric bus service to the downtown area, "The NET." In addition there are various trolleys and tour buses available at Waterside Festival Marketplace. Downtown Norfolk also is home to the AAA Tides (NY Mets) , Harbor Park Baseball Stadium , and the Norfolk Nighthawks Football at Scope Arena. Norfolk is 95 miles east of Richmond from I-64 E and 150 miles southeast of Washington D.C. The Virginia Beach oceanfront and Virginia Marine Science Museum are 17 miles from the hotel you can take the Trolley. In addition, Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens are 47 miles away. The average July high temperature is 87 degrees.

Captain Peppi S. Dayton
Norfolk Fire-Rescue, Engine 11-A
Fax: 757-624-6832


Equity Seminar July 10-13, 2003 (tentative schedule)