Native American tribes attended the Ninth Annual Tribal Public Health Emergency Preparedness meeting in Shelton, Wash. Aug. 14-15.   The Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council sponsored the event, which attracted more than 300 attendees who wanted to learn more about innovations and new trends in emergency management. 

Region X Acting Regional Administrator, Sharon Loper, addressed attendees to provide a regional perspective, while Steven Golubic, director of Tribal Affairs for DHS and Richard Flores, FEMA special advisor for Tribal Affairs, provided a national perspective.  Other topics of interest included Japanese tsunami debris, border crossing, climate change and protecting critical infrastructure.

Region X staffed an information booth and provided consultations on preparedness, mitigation, recovery, private sector, and grants.  Additionally, the team fielded questions on FEMA careers and the reservist program.  Following the two-day meeting, organizers offered preparedness courses  to interested participants.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Specialist Braden Allen consults with a representative of the Nisqually Tribe on writing a mitigation plan.