Disaster Preparedness Challenge News

Nebraska Extension Preparedness Challenge News

Update: May 11, 2023

Coming Soon: 2023 Nebraska Extension H.O.P.E. Challenge - Helping Others Prepare for Emergencies

We are currently planning the 2023 Disaster Preparedness Challenge. This year, we are working with Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Citizen Corps, specifically Medical Reserve Corps, on a new challenge. Details announced this week.

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2022 Preparedness Challenge: Nebraska Extension is a Partner in Preparedness

Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Nebraska’s emergency management – first responder community, recently partnered to launch the 2022 Nebraska Extension Preparedness Challenge to celebrate September as National Preparedness Month. The challenge highlights the work and collaborative efforts of Extension faculty and staff across the state and the many roles Extension has played before, during and after emergencies of recent years. The challenge was also an opportunity to foster new relationships while providing information and resources. The ultimate aim of the challenge was to serve as a model of disaster preparedness for the community.

For the preparedness challenge, Extension offices, research units, and University departments were invited to submit an itemized list of the contents of their office’s disaster preparedness kit, to be evaluated and scored by a panel of judges and experts.

In total, nine Extension offices competed in this challenge including Butler County, Cherry County, Clay County Extension, Fillmore County, Hall County, Lancaster County, Platte County, Holt and Boyd Counties as well as Nebraska Extension Dean's Office. The top scores were announced in late November at the Nebraska Extension Fall Conference in Kearney. Butler County Extension came in Third Place, Lancaster County Extension came in Second Place and Hall County Extension came in First Place.

“Each office went above and beyond in competing in this friendly challenge. This challenge highlighted the importance of being prepared for disaster. It also shows how disaster preparedness can be a fun activity that engages the whole community.” - Josh Yox, Citizen Corps State Coordinator, NEMA.

Soni Cochran, Nebraska Extension Disaster Education Coordinator, December 2022

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2022 Nebraska Extension Disaster Preparedness Challenge