Enhancing Relationships Between County Emergency Manager and Extension During Disaster Recovery
Extension Education
Donna Patterson
Extension Educator, AG & 4H
Oklahoma State University
Claremore
Abstract
Oklahoma experiences a high frequency of severe weather and disaster events, including droughts, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, economic disruptions, and animal disease outbreaks. Between 2003 and 2023, the state experienced 115 billion-dollar disaster events, and in 2025 alone, Oklahoma recorded 16 disaster declarations—ranking third nationally. These events highlight the critical need for coordinated disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is uniquely positioned to support disaster recovery due to its presence in every county; however, Extension educators have identified gaps in disaster recovery training and relationship building with county emergency management agencies. This poster describes a statewide initiative led by the OSU Extension Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to strengthen Extension’s role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Program goals included establishing guidelines for effective collaboration between Extension and Emergency Management, preparing county Extension offices for disaster response, delivering statewide tabletop exercises, and recruiting new DART members. In 2025, DART hosted multiple in-service trainings focused on relationship development with county officials and conducted joint tabletop exercises with emergency managers in the Oklahoma Panhandle and Northeast Oklahoma. These efforts culminated in a Statewide Disaster Preparedness Exercise held in January 2026, immediately prior to the Statewide Extension Conference. Participants included county educators, state specialists, Extension faculty, and administrators. The exercise featured a disaster perception survey, presentations from emergency management and insurance professionals, and scenario-based group discussions addressing fires, floods, tornadoes, economic disruptions, and animal disease at 12-, 24-, and 72-hour post-disaster intervals. Evaluation results indicated high overall satisfaction, increased confidence, and strong likelihood of recommending the training to colleagues. Participants identified relationship building with emergency managers and role clarity during disasters as key challenges. Major takeaways included the value of realistic scenarios, peer learning, practical preparedness tools, and strengthened professional networks. Future efforts will focus on expanding hands-on exercises, deepening collaboration with local officials, and enhancing emergency communication protocols for Extension offices.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
Click to view Poster
Authors: Donna Patterson, Amy Hagerman
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Patterson, D. Extension Educator, AG/ 4H & CED, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma, 74017
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Hagerman, A. State Ag Policy Extension Specialst, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, 74074