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, Jeremy 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, Jeremy is very much 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.   

Alex Derrera                alex.derrera@alaska.gov                                  907-428-7079

Alex Derrera is an Emergency Management Specialist with the Outreach Section of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alex graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage before spending four years in Memphis, Tennessee, where she worked as an archaeologist, uncovering and preserving prehistoric and historic sites.

Now back in Anchorage, Alex is eager to dive into Alaska’s unique emergency management challenges. Her background in archaeology and anthropology has given her a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and an understanding of how communities are shaped by their histories—perspectives that she believes will be well suited for emergency preparedness in Alaska. She is passionate about collaborating with fellow Alaskans to build resilient, well-prepared communities across the state.