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HINCKLEY, MINNESOTA - The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe hosted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and representatives from 34 Midwest tribes and their communities at Grand Casino Hinckley during a four-day meeting in September. FEMA held the meeting to train the tribes and their local emergency service agencies about the basics of emergency management and community preparedness and response.

In 2001, FEMA awarded grants to the Mille Lacs Band and four other Midwest tribes to develop emergency management plans. "Emergency management is relatively new to most tribes," said Monte Fronk, the Band's Emergency Services Coordinator. "With help from FEMA, the Mille Lacs Band has been able to be very proactive. Now all the Midwest tribes will learn more about handling weather-related emergencies, hazardous spills, electrical emergencies, and other kinds of hazards and problems that could happen in their communities."

About 60 people attended the meeting at Grand Casino Hinckley, including tribal representatives and their local fire departments, law enforcement agencies, medical services, and mental health services.

Attendees reviewed what emergency management consists of and the importance of a team approach to handling emergencies. This was followed by Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT training is designed to give local emergency responders the decision-making abilities and physical skills they need to offer immediate and effective assistance in emergency situations. While state and federal resources are available to help communities in emergencies, there is often a delay in getting to those who need help, making the community's own quick response vital.

For more information, Patty Dunn can be contacted by telephone: 651-292-8062 or by pager: 651-642-8515.