Rural Resilience Workshops
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: Nome Census Area – Fall 2026
September 21–25, 2026
Nome, Alaska
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is currently coordinating the next Rural Resiliency Workshop for communities in the Nome Census Area, scheduled for September 21–25, 2026, in Nome, Alaska.
This workshop will focus on coastal storm preparedness, emergency coordination, and community resilience, informed by regional experiences from major storm events affecting western Alaska communities, including Typhoon Merbok, Typhoon Halong, and other coastal hazards impacting the region.
Workshop activities and discussions will be developed in coordination with local 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:
- Coastal storm preparedness and planning
- Lessons learned from recent regional storm impacts
- 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 communication 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
Communities interested in participating in the Nome Census Area Rural Resiliency Workshop (September 21–25, 2026) are encouraged to register in advance.
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 the Nome Census Area Rural Resiliency Workshop is 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 → [Insert Link]
- Travel Authorization Packet → [Insert Link]
- Direct Deposit / Vendor Registration Form (if applicable) → [Insert Link]
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
This version reads more like a polished Alaska.gov page—shorter, clearer, and easier to scan than the original while still carrying the substance of the RRW program and the Nome 2026 workshop.
