Michelle Torres michelle.torres@alaska.gov 907-428-7032
Michelle Torres is the Outreach Branch Chief for the State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHS&EM) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) State Administrator. Michelle and her team are responsible for enhancing disaster preparedness and community resilience through public outreach and information.
Michelle began her career in wildfire mitigation in 2009 with the Matanuska Susitna Borough where she taught and worked with homeowners through the FireWise program. During her time with the Matanuska Susitna Borough, Michelle began to take an active role in the emergency management and response in the Borough. In 2013, Michelle joined the Municipality of Anchorage as their Emergency Programs Manager where she was responsible for outreach and public information for the city. In 2014, Michelle began working in mitigation with DHS&EM. During her time in mitigation Michelle was a project manager for multiple pre-disaster mitigation (PDM) and hazard mitigation grant (HMGP) projects. Michelle also spent time as the mitigation planner for the division as well as the State Hazard Mitigation Officer. In 2016, Michelle became the Outreach Branch Chief for DHS&EM. During a state disaster, Michelle takes on the role as a Public Information Officer in the State Emergency Operations Center.
Jeremy Zidek jeremy.zidek@alaska.gov 907-428-7077
As the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Jeremy Zidek provides timely and critical information to local, state and national audiences while helping Alaskans prepare for and recover from natural and manmade disasters.
With more than 15 years of crisis communication experience, Zidek views each disaster/emergency as a unique communications challenge that requires creative problem-solving and outreach to meet the information needs of survivors, the media, and the general public.
While DHS&EM offices are based in Anchorage, Zidek is a familiar face throughout Alaska where he conducts basic PIO training courses that prepare community members to act as PIOs during disasters, or participates in outreach activities such as earthquake simulator or preparedness fairs.
Colt Graham colt.graham@alaska.gov 907-428-7022
Colt Graham is a Emergency Management Specialist in the Outreach Branch for the State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Colt works closely with Michelle to train and assist communities with the development of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Colt assists in reaching our communities with disaster preparedness and community resilience information.
Colt began his career in emergency services as a 911 Emergency Dispatcher with the City of Palmer. For 10 years, Colt served the State of Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice as a Juvenile Justice Officer and Juvenile Probation Officer. Additionally, he works as a Lieutenant with Palmer Fire & Rescue, assisting with teaching community members fire safety, preparedness and prevention through their various outreach programs.
