Madison Mayor Sue Bauman will attend a two-day emergency, safety and security conference in Washington, D.C., today and Thursday. Bauman will be joined by Green Bay mayor Paul Jadin and approximately 100 other mayors, as well as police, fire and emergency management officials.

Several key Bush administration officials will address the group, including Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, FBI Director Robert Mueller, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Jane Garvey.

New Orleans Mayor Marc H. Morial will preside over the conference. Morial called for the conference in part to develop recommendations for the newly created Office of Homeland Security to restructure federal emergency response systems and better coordinate efforts between federal and local governments as called for by an executive order from President Bush.

Wednesday afternoon, participants will discuss federal and local law enforcement and emergency management preparedness in dealing with the war on terrorism. They will also meet with Thompson to discuss biological and chemical terrorism.

Attendees will take part in three special sessions aimed at developing new policies. A law-enforcement session will focus on better coordination and information sharing between federal and local law enforcement agencies. An emergency preparedness session will discuss local efforts to deal with domestic terrorism regarding public heath issues. A transportation session will also focus on securing mass transit and hazardous material transportation.

Several mayors will speak on issues of border and economic security, port and cargo safety, and city water safety.

Milwaukee Mayor John O. Norquist will not be in attendance, but will be in contact with other participants.