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PPOO-6 Mark F. Hansen, Ph.D. . Michigan State University Extension 121 E. Maple Street, PO Box 121 Mason, MI 48854-0319 hansenm@msue.msu.edu (517) 676-7207 Nongovernmental Organizations: Switching Gears for Hazard Mitigation A Report from the Extension Disaster Education Network The USDA Cooperative Extension Service (CES) has been present at the local level for many years providing relief and recovery assistance to disaster victims. This has included advice to homeowners and businesses on repairing storm-damaged trees, helping farmers deal with damage to crops, crop land, or facilities, advising victims on food and water safety issues, and sanitation and clean-up of soiled, mildewed, or smoke-damaged fabrics. In recent years, many state Extension systems have initiated educational programming to help prepare residents and businesses for possible natural disasters, and some Extension systems are targeting mitigation strategies. In some cases, Extension is also collaborating with local or state emergency management agencies to help educate their respective publics. These efforts vary by . state due to disaster trends, state Extension program priorities, and through lessons learned by past disaster experiences. Over the past five years, a network of 30 state Extension systems have joined hands to initiate an interstate partnership called the Extension Disaster Education Network. This group has worked diligently to begin identifying research needs, and in developing educational materials and resources, and methodologies to train and equip their staff members. A new web site <httn://www.al.!ctr.lsu.eduleden/> was developed with separate state resource pages and links, as a tool for Extension educators and other interested users. Examples are of Extension involvement in preparation and mitigation are many. In the southern and southeastern states, where hurricanes are a threat, Extension systems in Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina are providing housing mitigation assistance. In these states, CES provides training to home-owners, architects, builders, and others on flood-proofing homes, which includes model demonstration homes. At Purdue (Indiana), Michigan, and Wisconsin, Extension works closely with state and local governmental agencies to address emergency management and help develop emergency management plans and provide educational programs. North Dakota Extension, having been heavily involved in blizzards and flooding has developed many new resources to help residents prepare for disaster. Many other examples exist. The Cooperative Extension Service stands ready in each state, as it always has, to assist local residents in time of need. While once an organization focused on recovery, it now provides educational assistance as both a proactive and reactive educational organization. .