Hood River County Emergency Management + Resilience is a regional resource to prepare our region for large scale emergencies and disasters.
We partner with Cities, Counties, Fire Departments, 911, schools, medical, health and other first response agencies Gorge-wide and are staffed by trained volunteers and partner staffs.
When needed, we activate the Hood River County EOC (Emergency Operations Center) to help the community and boost first responders.
We are the direct link to bring in partners and additional regional, state and federal support.
We manage grants, disaster planning and programs that enhance our county’s readiness and response.
And we help citizens and businesses prepare ahead so they are ready when needed. Visit our Get Prepared page for checklists and tips.
Katie Skakel
Emergency + Resilience Program Manager, Hood River County
kskakel@hoodrivercounty.gov
(541) 490-4949
Katie is a strategic resilience and land use planner with 35 years of cross-sector expertise, as well as specializing in hazard mitigation, floodplain management, and climate adaptation. She began her career in emergency management in Massachusetts, where she worked as the state hazard mitigation officer. For the last five years, she’s overseen community engagement and outreach for Colorado State University’s (CSU) Center for Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning, holding a job with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency in between.
Click here for Gorge News article
Elly Wells
Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator, Hood River Count
yewells@hoodrivercounty.gov
(541) 490-5696
Elly Wells is Hood River County's first Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator. Elly brings four seasons of experience as a wildland firefighter, along with a background in nonprofit work, and a master's degree in Integrated Natural Resource Management, where she researched factors that influence wildfire mitigation action. Originally from rural northeast Oregon, Elly is passionate about helping communities reduce wildfire risk through collaboration, education, and practical, locally driven solutions. She looks forward to working with partners across Hood River County to build a more wildfire-resilient future.
