Resilience Portfolio

Overview

The Resilience Portfolio, led by the Chief Resilience Officer, is charged to enhance the state's resilience. This portfolio focuses on providing targeted support to communities and ensuring alignment with national emergency management frameworks. Key programs within the Resilience Portfolio include the Access and Functional Needs, Tribal Emergency Management, Tribal Health, State Voluntary Agency Liaison, and the State CERT Programs. Each program plays a crucial role in building stronger, more resilient communities across Nevada by fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and enhancing preparedness and response capabilities. 17 These programs closely with local governments, Tribal Nations, and community organizations to build stronger, more resilient communities through collaboration, shared best practices, and targeted resources for preparedness, response, and recovery. By aligning Nevada’s resilience efforts with national standards like the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF), we ensure a coordinated and effective emergency response across all levels of government.

Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Program:

This program ensures that the needs of people with disabilities are considered and addressed in all aspects of emergency management. This includes ensuring accessible communication, transportation, and support services during emergencies, as well as promoting inclusive planning and response efforts.

AFN refers to individuals with and without disabilities, who may need additional assistance because of any condition. That may limit their ability to act in an emergency. No two disasters are the same, yet all have a disproportionate effect on our most vulnerable populations - individuals with access and functional needs such as people with disabilities, older adults, children, those with limited English proficiency, and those with transportation disadvantages. 

This program works hard to use a whole-community approach, offering training and guidance to emergency managers & planners, disability advocates, and other service providers to plan for, respond to, and help communities recover from disasters. 

Tribal Emergency Management Program:

This program strengthens the resilience of Nevada's Tribal Nations by fostering collaborative partnerships that respect Tribal sovereignty, building capacity through training and technical assistance in areas like incident command and emergency planning, facilitating resource sharing of equipment, materials, and expertise, and addressing the unique challenges faced by Tribal communities in emergency preparedness and response.

Tribal Health Program:

This program serves as the primary liaison between NDEM and Tribal health systems, enhancing incident management within Tribal health settings. It supports Tribal health facilities in developing emergency preparedness plans, conducting drills, and improving disaster response capabilities. The role also strengthens communication and coordination between NDEM, Tribal health systems, and relevant agencies during emergencies, while addressing specific health needs of Tribal populations, including access to medical care, mental health support, and essential medications during and after disasters.

Volunteer Agency Liaison Program:

This program builds and sustains strong partnerships with voluntary, faithbased, and community-based organizations, as well as private industry, to enhance volunteer engagement during emergencies. This role focuses on fostering relationships with organizations statewide, recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers effectively, and serving as a liaison to ensure seamless communication and coordination between voluntary organizations and emergency management agencies. Additionally, the VAL collaborates with Nevada Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Nevada VOAD) and fosters public-private partnerships to provide critical resources and support to the Nevada Emergency Operations Center and impacted communities during disasters.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program:

This program oversees the development and implementation of CERT initiatives across Nevada. This role supports local CERT programs by providing guidance aligned with FEMA standards and connecting programs through quarterly meetings. The position promotes community awareness and participation in CERT, develops training and guidance to coordinate CERT volunteer activities during emergencies, and ensures their safety and effectiveness, including active participation in exercises. Additionally, the coordinator maintains program integrity by ensuring all CERT programs meet established training and operational standards.