Disaster preparedness and resiliency – especially for increasingly frequent wildfires – will be the focus of the inaugural session of a new workshop series designed for leaders of Washington’s smallest rural communities.
The Rural Exchange will convene from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28. Attendees have the option of participating in person with others at one of six different locations:
- Stevens County Extension – Colville
- Jefferson County Extension – Port Townsend
- Yakima County Extension – Union Gap
- Heritage Farm Clark County Extension – Vancouver
- Snohomish County Extension – Snohomish
- Whitman County Extension – Colfax
The Rural Exchange is a joint project of Partners for Rural Washington and Washington State University Extension. It is specifically designed for elected officials, city clerks and other staff in communities of fewer than 1,500 people and features a mix of online and in-person sessions. It is free to attendees, and lunch will be provided at each location for those who register by Oct. 26. Attendees are welcome to participate in morning, afternoon or all sessions.
“The challenges of being prepared when disaster strikes and surviving and thriving afterward are real for any community, but they can be especially difficult for small communities,” said PRWA Executive Director Jody Opheim. “This full-day gathering brings together leaders and neighbors from rural communities across Washington to share hard-earned lessons, practical tools and real-world strategies for disaster preparedness. The day is designed to leave those who attend not just informed, but connected, equipped and ready to bring stronger resilience back home.”
Conference speakers include:
- Mike Jensen, a former firefighter and EMT and director of WSU Extension in Pend Oreille County, who will discuss what rural communities can do to mitigate wildfires.
- Michael Gaffney, WSU Extension associate director, who will discuss “Community Wildfire Mitigation Planning”
- Gaffney and Christina Sanders, who will discuss “Community Resilience and the Community Emergency Response Team.” Sanders is director of WSU’s Division of Government Studies and Services and the Office of Emergency Management.
Registration details are available at www.partnersruralwa.org
Washington’s federally designated State Rural Development Council, Partners for Rural Washington is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with rural communities – especially those with fewer than 1,500 residents – to tackle and complete some of their most challenging infrastructure and community development projects. Funded completely with grants and partnerships, PRWA provides its services at no cost to the communities.
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