Director of Emergency Managment Stevens County Colville, Washington, United States
In rural emergency management, being a 'one-person shop' means the emergency manager is often the primary bridge between disparate community needs. This session explores the reality that emergency management is 'so much more than the emergency,' focusing on how a single professional can anchor a county's resilience by embedding themselves in non-traditional roles.
Using Stevens County as a case study, the presenter will discuss the strategic necessity of leading the regional EMS/TCC council to mitigate the risks of failing EMS systems on Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) readiness. The session will also detail the innovative use of Opioid Abatement funds to launch 'Stevens County Connect,' a digital tool designed to close communication gaps. Participants will learn how to effectively manage a diverse portfolio of volunteer programs-including SAR, ARES, Dive, CERT, and MRC-by building a culture of shared purpose with local health departments and community partners. This presentation offers a roadmap for rural leaders to identify community gaps and transform them into collaborative triumphs.
