Rural Resiliency Workshops (RRWs)

Building Community Preparedness and Resilience Across Rural Alaska

Rural Resiliency Workshops (RRWs) are community-based gatherings designed to strengthen emergency preparedness, communication, and long-term resilience in Alaska’s rural communities. Hosted by the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), these workshops bring together Tribal leaders, local governments, emergency responders, regional organizations, and community partners to discuss local hazards, preparedness priorities, and opportunities for coordination.

Each workshop is developed in partnership with local and regional organizations to ensure discussions reflect community priorities, lived experience, and the unique realities of rural Alaska. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, RRWs focus on practical, locally relevant planning informed by the people who know their communities best.

A key component of the workshop process is strengthening local Statewide Communication Emergency Response Plans (SCERPs). Participating communities work directly with DHSEM staff to review, update, and improve communication and coordination plans before emergencies occur.

By hosting workshops in rural communities, RRWs reduce barriers to participation and help ensure conversations remain grounded in local infrastructure, seasonal conditions, available resources, and community priorities.

Upcoming Workshop: Bethel Census Area – Winter 2027

February 23–25, 2027

Bethel, Alaska

The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is currently coordinating the next Rural Resiliency Workshop for communities in the Bethel Census Area, scheduled for February 23–25, 2027, in Bethel, Alaska.

This will be the final workshop in a series of three held for the Bethel Census Area and will focus on the remaining riverine communities. The workshop will place particular emphasis on spring breakup preparedness, including flooding and other seasonal hazards, while continuing to cover the core emergency preparedness and response topics typically included in Rural Resiliency Workshops.

Workshop activities and discussions will be developed in coordination with local tribal organizations, community leadership, and regional partners to ensure the content reflects community priorities, regional concerns, and locally identified preparedness needs. Participants will engage in discussions focused on:

• Spring breakup and flood preparedness
• Community emergency preparedness and planning
• Lessons learned from recent regional emergencies
• Community emergency coordination and communication
• Preparedness planning for local and regional hazards
• Review and refinement of local SCERP plans

Dedicated time will also be available for communities to work directly with DHSEM staff to review and strengthen their SCERP plans, identify gaps, and improve coordination capabilities before emergencies occur.

Additional agenda details and workshop materials will be posted as they become available.

Who Should Attend?

Participation is encouraged from organizations and individuals involved in community preparedness, emergency response, and resilience planning, including:

• Tribal leadership and Tribal emergency staff
• City and local government representatives
• Emergency managers and first responders
• Regional organizations and nonprofit partners
• School, clinic, and infrastructure representatives
• Community members involved in preparedness and response efforts

Registration & Travel Information

How to Register

To register for the workshop or request additional information, please contact:

Jeremy Agee
Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM)
📧 jeremy.agee@alaska.gov

When registering, please include:

• Community name
• Names of anticipated participants
• Organization or Tribal affiliation
• Any anticipated travel coordination needs

Travel Coordination & State-Supported Travel

State-supported travel for Rural Resiliency Workshops are limited to a maximum of two (2) participants per community, subject to available funding and program requirements.

Communities are welcome and encouraged to send additional participants at their own expense to support broader local participation and planning efforts.

Participants requesting state-supported travel will be required to complete travel documentation in advance. Completed travel forms should be submitted to jeremy.agee@alaska.gov to support travel coordination and reimbursement processing.

Required Travel Documents

• Traveler Information Form 
• Travel Authorization Packet
  
  To allow adequate time for travel coordination, participants are encouraged to submit required travel documents as early as possible.

Workshop Materials

Workshop materials, agendas, and After Action Reports (AARs) will be posted here as they become available.

Questions?

For questions regarding registration, travel coordination, or workshop participation, please contact:

Jeremy Agee
Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM)
📧 jeremy.agee@alaska.gov