The University of Washington’s Northwest Center for Evidence‑Based Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (NWPHEPR) is working with communities across FEMA Region 10—Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and 272 Tribal nations—to strengthen disaster resilience across the Pacific Northwest. Led by UW School of Public Health faculty and funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Center brings together Tribal partners, state and local health departments, health care coalitions and researchers to bridge the gap between practice and research and ensure that preparedness efforts are grounded in local knowledge and real‑world experience. This work responds to a national call for better coordination and evidence‑based approaches in public health emergencies, especially as climate‑driven hazards like wildfires, extreme heat and flooding intensify.
A central focus of the Center is elevating the expertise and lived experience of Tribal communities, whose knowledge of land stewardship and disaster response spans generations. Tribal leaders have emphasized the importance of trust, relationship‑building and culturally grounded communication in emergency preparedness efforts. Their insights are shaping the Center’s priorities and informing shared approaches to issues such as forest management, communication during crises and the integration of traditional knowledge into modern response systems.
To support regional capacity, NWPHEPR launched its inaugural Crisis Leadership Institute and convened more than 100 partners for the Northwest Preparedness and Resilience Conference at UW. These gatherings create space for practitioners—from small rural health departments to Tribal organizations—to learn from one another, share challenges and build leadership skills for navigating complex disasters. Participants noted that collaboration, shared learning, and relationship‑building before emergencies occur are critical to strengthening community resilience. As the Center continues its work, these cross‑sector partnerships are laying the foundation for a more coordinated and responsive disaster preparedness system across the Northwest.