Tribal Public Health Emergency Preparedness Training & Conference 2026
Tribal public health emergency preparedness training is a specialized initiative designed to enhance the resilience of indigenous communities in the face of emergencies and disasters. Recognizing the unique needs and vulnerabilities of tribal populations, these training programs focus on building capacity, knowledge, and skills within tribal health departments and community organizations.
Session Materials
Session Presentations
Session 1
Lessons Learned from the Unexpected: An All-Hazards Approach
Daniel Ravenel, Emergency Management Manager, Quinault Indian Nation
Elyse Kelsey, WA Sea Grant Fellowship; Quinault Indian Nation
Desiree Markishtum, Emergency Coordinator, Quinault Indian Nation
Session 2
The Unseen Emergency: Environmental Health Threats That Become Public Health Crises
Brian Fullen, EHS Officer, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Session 3.1 / 4.1
Part One: Preventing Foodborne Outbreaks at Temporary Events
Tia Skerbeck, Councilwoman, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
Ryan Sealy, Environmental Public Health Director, NPAIHB
Melino Gianotti, Emergency Coordinator, NPAIHB
Faith Turk, Environmental Public Health Coordinator, AIHC
Part Two, Presentation One: Coordination and Communication During Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
Part Two, Presentation Two: Investigating & Reporting Foodborne Illness
CDR Christopher Fish, Director, Division of Environmental Health Services, Indian Health Service
Session 3.2
Applying High-Resolution LiDAR in Emergency Management for the Nez Perce Tribe
Brent Lloyd, GIS Analyst, Nez Perce Tribe
Session 3.3
Strengthening Tribal Emergency Response: AMBER Alert Implementation in Indian Country
Amy Hood-Schwindt, Associate, NCJTC at Fox Valley Technical College
Session 4.2
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Communities to Critical Resources During Emergencies
Jessica Wilkinson, Medical Logistics Supervisor, Washington State Department of Health
Session 4.3
The Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) Alert: A National Indigenous-Led Solution to Protect Our People
Brian Wadsworth, Chief Operating Officer, Native Public Media
Session 5.1
Active Shooters Training: How to Barricade and Secure Your Doors & Windows & Plan Your Escape Route
Dan Martinez, Emergency Manager, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Wymon Harry, Asst Emergency Manager, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Session 5.2
Financial Resilience in Disaster Recovery: Insurance, Sovereignty, and Community Protection
Larry Robinette, Tribal Liaison, WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Session 5.3
Saving Lives on Tribal Roads: Community-Driven Traffic Safety Solutions in Tribal Communities
Penny Rarick, Tribal Liaison, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Session 6.1 – No PowerPoint to share, refer to the website: https://www.odart.org
When You Need a Little Help from Above – General Aviation to the Rescue
Steve Aberle, COML, Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team
Session 6.2
Long-Term Recovery Strategies: Building Tribal Resilience After Wildfire & Disaster
Larry Robinette, Tribal Liaison, WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Session 6.3
Audrianna Marzette, Program Manager, National Indian Health Board
Kjell Schioberg, Climate Ready Tribe Project Lead, Marimn Health
Session 7
Dr. Tara Perti, Medical Epidemiologist, Portland Area HIS
Session 8
An Introduction to Legal and Administrative Preparedness for Tribal Nations
Gregory Sunshine, Senior Analyst for Legal Preparedness, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Nicole Estes, Deputy Associate Director, Program Planning & Development Unit, CDC/Office of Readiness and Response/Division of State & Local Readiness
Session 9.1
Findings from the 2026 Novel Bird Flu Tabletop Exercise
Jessica McKee, Tribal Public Health Programs Administrator, AIHC;
Faith Turk, Environmental Public Health Coordinator, AIHC
Session 9.2
Emergency Support Function 11: Agriculture and Natural Resources Tribal Brief
Evert Sterling, EFS#11 Coordinator, USDA
Session 9.3
An Interactive Discussion on Tribal Water Safety Preparedness
Melino Gianotti, Emergency Coordinator, NPAIHB
Rebecca Washakie, Environmental Public Health Coordinator, NPAIHB
Session 10.1 – This was an interactive game, no PowerPoint
BARNGA
Caroline Cruz, Chief Operations Officer, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Session 10.2
Best Practices for Building Legal and Cross-Jurisdictional Coordination Issues into Exercises
Gregory Sunshine, Senior Analyst for Legal Preparedness, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Nicole Estes, Deputy Associate Director, Program Planning & Development Unit, CDC/Office of Readiness and Response/Division of State & Local Readiness
Session 10.3a
Who are you going to call and how?
Clinton Davis, Emergency Manager, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation
Session 10.3b (No PowerPoint to share, refer to website) https://www.odart.org
Tribal Communications Pace Planning – From Smoke Signals to Satellites
Steve Aberle, COML, Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team
Session 11.1
Climate Change and Its Impact on the Health of Tribal Communities
Melino Gianotti, Emergency Coordinator, NPAIHB
Rebecca Washakie, Environmental Public Health Coordinator, NPAIHB
Session 11.2
Amber McPherson, Readiness Manager, Washington Department of Health
Holly Payne, Response Team Coordinator, Washington Department of Health
Dianna Trotter, Performance & Grants Supervisor, Washington Department of Health
Session 13
Sean Hammerle, Program Director, Washington State Project to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths, Washington Department of Health
Session 14
Dr. Frank James, Health Office, Lummi Nation
Paul James, RN, Intern at Lummi Nation