Training & Exercises and Emergency Response Plans.
Mitigation
Strategies to reduce impact and risk.
Proactive measures, including Hazard Assessments, Community Engagement & Education, and Infrastructure Improvements
Response
Swift and coordinated action during crises. Immediate deployment of resources, focusing on Life Safety, Evacuation & Mass Care, and the Search and Rescue Drone Program.
Recovery
Post-crisis efforts for community restoration. Long-term resilience building, addressing Housing, Food, Health, and Social Services.
Tlingit & Haida
Village Public Safety Officer Program
Key Facts
Tlingit & Haida’s Public Safety Division has administered the Southeast Alaska VPSO program since 2010.
Tlingit & Haida administers the VPSO program through funding from the State of Alaska.
Eight Southeast Alaska communities are served by the VPSO program.
Regional Public Safety Officers
In June 2024, Regional Public Safety Officers (RPSOs) were established There are three RPSOs in Alaska with two located in Southeast Alaska.
Northern RPSO
Sean Ahshapanek
Tlingit & Haida
Southern RPSO
Zach West
Tlingit & Haida
Southeast Alaska Communities Served:
Tribal Emergency Operations Center
About TEOC
On March 24, 2020, with unanimous support from Tlingit & Haida’s Executive Council, President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson signed Resolution EC 20-12 enacting a “Declaration of a State of Emergency Related to COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Shortly thereafter, he activated a Tribal Emergency Operations Center (TEOC) to enable Tlingit & Haida to provide timely, integrated, and coordinated responses to emergencies that addresses the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Mission:
Safeguard the health and well-being of Tlingit & Haida employees, tribal citizens, communities, and neighbors.
TEOC Event Response
August 2024 – Flood Response in Juneau, AK
November 2023 – Landslide Response in Wrangell, AK
June 2023 – Search & Rescue Operations in Kake, AK
March 2023 – Emergency Water Response in Craig, AK
February 2021 – Emergency Water Response in Angoon, AK
December 2020 – Landslide Response in Haines, AK
Tribal Emergency Operations Center Incident Command Team
The following TEOC members responded to the August 2024 Juneau flooding:
Jason Wilson
Sabrina Grubitz
Tracy Draper
Evanne Katasse-Roberts
Edwin Chappell
Dan Woods
Rhonda Butler
Brandon Chappell
Marianna Moreno-Goodwin
Alisha Sell
Louis Tagaban
Larry Gamez
Not pictured: Logistics Section Chief Charlie Fale and Transportation Manager Royal (RJ) Hill Jr.
Tribal Citizen Households Impacted
Tribal Citizens Impacted
20
National Guards Under TEOC Command
11
Days TEOC in Operation
Entities Partnered with TEOC
125 470 173 800 500 65 5
Lunches Prepared + Delivered Pounds of Debris Removed
Calls Made to Tribal Citizens for Assistance
Sanitation Kits Delivered In Donations to Establish Emergency Response Fund
People Involved in Emergency Response
50,0000
$80,392.38
Our Proven Track Record: Responding To Regional Emergencies
Swift Response to Water Disasters:
Angoon, Craig, Hydaburg, and Juneau.
Ensured safety and well-being.
Dedicated Search & Rescue Operations:
Saving lives during critical situations.
Drone-Field Observations:
Enhanced situational awareness and response effectiveness
Liason Support and Technical Assistance:
Effective Handling of Landslides:
Federally declared emergencies. Minimized damage and aided recovery
Innovative Starlink Deployment:
Enhanced communication in remote areas. Improved coordination and response efficiency
Community Outreach & Safety:
Direct engagement for community support.
Facilitated FEMA communication for strengthened coordination.
Everbridge
Emergency Notification System
The Everbridge Emergency Notification System allows the public safety division to be able to send out alert messages via text, email, voice calls and numerous other digital platforms. Through the software, the public safety division is able to partner with the Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other emergency response services.
Types of Alert Messages
Emergency alerts pertinent to tribal citizens who are in direct or surrounding areas at risk: weather fire roadway damage active shooter
Stay Informed
Everbridge can autopopulate contact lists through the Tribal Enrollment department, which ensures contact information for every tribal citizen.
