FEMA holds disaster classes for tribes

FORT YATES, N.D., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and tribal emergency management personnel are set to host disaster training classes.

Representatives from 12 tribal nations in North and South Dakota will gather in Fort Yates, N.D., Aug. 6-9 for emergency management training involving how to prepare for, respond to and recover from floods, snowstorms and other disasters.

The meeting between FEMA and tribal nations also marks the 10-year anniversary of the implementation of the FEMA/Tribal Relations Policy. On Tuesday, Robert Flowers, administrator of FEMA's Region VIII, delivered a keynote address in commemoration.

"I am honored to be a part of this event," Flowers said in a statement. "It's a celebration of a decade of productive cooperation between FEMA and the dedicated leaders and emergency management staff from the tribal nations."

Prairie Knights Casino and Resort in Fort Yates is a significant location for FEMA and tribal relations, according to FEMA Tribal Liaison Del Brewer.

"The conference room is the exact same spot where 10 years ago, the FEMA director (James Lee Witt) first presented the FEMA/Tribal policy," Brewer said in a statement. "And this time we're going to talk about what we've accomplished in the past 10 years."

The instructors are from the federal Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Md., FEMA Region VIII and tribal organizations.