REMINDER - Presentation will be at our new location,
MEM (formerly Missouri Employers Mutual)
Breakfast and networking from 7:45am to 8:10am
Presentation starting at 8:15am
Building and Sustaining an Effective Emergency Response Program will provide a practical, real-world look at how organizations can build, implement, and continuously improve an effective emergency response program. Attendees will learn how to develop clear, actionable emergency response plans that are tailored to their facilities, operations, and risks—not just generic templates that sit on a shelf. The session will cover how to train workforce members so they understand their roles during an emergency, can recognize hazards, and know how to respond confidently under pressure. Participants will also explore how to design and conduct meaningful drills that test plans, reveal gaps, and strengthen coordination across teams. A strong focus will be placed on continuous improvement, showing how to use after-action reviews, incident data, and drill results to refine procedures and build stronger, more resilient programs over time. Finally, the session will highlight the importance of working directly with local fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies to ensure they are familiar with your facility, hazards, and access points before an emergency ever occurs. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to build those relationships and integrate public-safety partners into their emergency planning process—improving outcomes for both responders and employees when every second counts.
Adam Burks
Adam Burks is a seasoned fire, life-safety, and hazardous materials professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning frontline emergency response and industrial safety leadership. His background allows him to translate real-world response experience into practical prevention, preparedness, and compliance strategies.
Adam began his career as a firefighter, EMT, and law enforcement officer, responding to fires, hazardous materials incidents, medical emergencies, and mass-casualty events. He remains active with the Boone County Fire Protection District as a Captain and EMT‑B in northern Columbia, Missouri.
He later transitioned into environmental health and safety leadership, where he spent over a decade developing fire prevention, hazardous materials, and emergency preparedness programs for large industrial and logistics operations.
Adam currently works with DG Advisor, LLC, a dangerous goods and hazardous materials consulting firm serving aerospace, defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing industries. His work focuses on regulatory, packaging, and transportation compliance for highly regulated materials, including explosives and lithium batteries. He also serves on NFPA and International Fire Code technical committees supporting modernization of explosives-related codes.
In addition, Adam is the founder of AMBurks Enterprise, LLC, providing hazardous materials training, emergency preparedness, and workforce safety instruction. He also serves as Vice President and Treasurer of First Responder Support, a nonprofit supporting emergency response professionals.
Adam holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and an MBA from William Woods University and is a sought‑after speaker known for delivering clear, practical guidance grounded in both field experience and regulatory expertise.
