Nevada Division of Emergency Management Announces New Tribal Coordinator for Emergency Response

The Nevada Division of Emergency Management (DEM) is pleased to name Ryan Gerchman as DEM’s Tribal Coordinator, helping with emergency management support for Nevada’s 27 federally recognized Tribal Nations in close collaboration with the Nevada Indian Commission.

DEM is the state agency responsible for the administration of emergency preparedness, prevention, response, recovery and mitigation. The Nevada Indian Commission serves as a liaison between the State and the federally recognized Tribal Nations in Nevada. The DEM Tribal Coordinator serves as a link between DEM and the Tribal Nations as it specifically relates to emergency management.

“As a public humanities advocate, Ryan has demonstrated his commitment to build strong relationships through his tenacity and passion to support and serve communities in preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation measures,” said DEM Chief Justin Luna.

Gerchman served in the United States Marine Corp and attended University of Nevada, Reno, where he graduated with a master’s degree in Social Work in 2018. He began working as an intern at DEM in the preparedness and response section in 2017 and worked closely with local and state entities to expand his knowledge of emergency management. He completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Basic Academy that provided a foundational education in emergency management.

Over the course of Nevada’s COVID response efforts, Gerchman has been collaborating with the Nevada Indian Commission, Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, State Emergency Operations Center Tribal Nation Food Task Force, and Nevada Department of Agriculture, along with other State agencies to help coordinate food acquisition and delivery for Nevada Tribal Nations.

“Since the global pandemic impacted our Tribal Nations, Ryan has taken initiative, brought creative solutions, and eagerly helped our communities,” said Stacey Montooth Nevada Indian Commission Executive Director. “His insight and experience with emergency management will continue to strengthen our preparation and mitigation of Indian Country as we move forward during COVID-19, wild fire season, and the pending flu season.”

Gerchman, began work as DEM’s Tribal Coordinator this week and joins Crystal Harjo, the division’s Tribal Health Coordinator, for Tribal emergency management support in Nevada.