The Tribal Emergency Services Coordinator’s (TESC) job is to help protect PTN members by coordinating the Tribal response to major emergencies and disasters, directing assistance to local jurisdictions when needed, and coordinating assistance with the FEMA and other federal partners. If you or your loved ones are impacted by a natural disaster or another emergency, please reach out to my office.

What does the Tribal Emergency Services Coordinator do?

The Tribal Emergency Services Coordinator’s (TESC) job is to help protect PTN members by coordinating the Tribal response to major emergencies and disasters, directing assistance to local jurisdictions when needed, and coordinating assistance with the FEMA and other federal partners.

The TESC does this by:

  •  Identifying and assessing potential hazards.
  • Developing, updating and maintaining Tribal emergency plans and procedures.
  • Training personnel.
  • Conducting drills and exercises to test plans.
  • Working among levels of Tribal government, volunteer agencies and the private sector to ensure that all understand their roles and responsibilities during disaster response.
  • Providing critical information to Tribal members before, during and after a disaster occurs.
  • Administering disaster assistance programs.
  • Providing overall coordination for disaster response.
  • Providing emergency services and Tribal resiliency related educational opportunities to Tribal members and employees.

Who Is Part of the Emergency Management System?

  • Elected officials
  • Tribal Members
  • Private sector representatives (non-governmental partners such as HyVee, Walmart, etc. Many times they are used to deliver much-needed supplies during and following a disaster)
  • Volunteer agencies and other non-governmental organizations (Salvation Army, United Way, etc.)
  • Local, state, Tribal and federal emergency management and response agencies

How can YOU be prepared?

  • Discuss what to do in an evacuation, and don’t forget to include the needs of those with disabilities.
  • When told by officials, go immediately to a shelter as instructed or to the home of a friend or relative who lives out of the affected area.
  • Know evacuation routes. Pre-establish several different routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed.
  • Family members can become separated during an emergency. Be prepared by creating a plan for how to reach one another. Establish an out-of-area contact (such as a relative or friend) who can coordinate family members’ locations and information should you become separated. Make sure children learn the phone numbers and addresses, and know the emergency plans.
  • Quiz children every six months so they remember what to do, where to go, and whom to call in an emergency.
  • Prepare an emergency “go kit”, which should include supplies for your family and pets.

Contact

Victoria Champaign
Emergency Services Coordinator
Email: vchampaign@poncatribe-ne.org
Phone: 402-315-2760