About CALTERRA
Our History
Founded in 2011, CAL TERRA was formed in response to a long recognized gap in emergency preparedness training and qualified response support available to many Tribal communities. Too often, Tribal gatherings, ceremonies, and community events occur without nearby departments that are trained, resourced, or positioned to assist when an emergency happens. This leaves communities vulnerable and dependent on circumstance rather than readiness.
That reality became especially clear during a Bear Dance Ceremony at Haslett Basin, when a young boy was injured after falling from a tree. At the time of the injury, the child received care from the only person present with relevant training. This incident highlighted how easily a community can be left without support when it is most needed.
CAL TERRA was created so that moments like this would not depend on chance. The organization exists to help ensure Tribal and non-Tribal communities have access to training, preparedness resources, and coordinated mutual aid grounded in respect for Tribal sovereignty, cultural protocols, and shared responsibility. Through capacity building and collaboration, CAL TERRA works to support Tribal communities and beyond in being ready to care for one another when it matters most.
Our Team
The CAL TERRA team is made up of individuals who bring practical experience in emergency preparedness, safety, workforce training, and community support. Our work is shaped by time spent in the field, alongside communities, learning what is needed when resources are limited and conditions are uncertain. Each team member contributes different skills, but we are united by a shared commitment to readiness, service, and accountability.
As a team, we approach our work with humility and respect for the communities we serve. We understand that effective preparedness and response are built through relationships, trust, and listening as much as instruction. Rather than positioning ourselves as experts above others, we work alongside Tribal and community partners to strengthen local capacity, support coordination, and ensure knowledge is shared in ways that are practical, culturally respectful, and sustainable. Our role is to support communities in being prepared to care for their own people, on their own terms, when it matters most.
Our Commitment to Capacity Building
The CAL TERRA training program is designed to support practical preparedness, safety, and response capabilities across a wide range of community and operational settings. Our trainings cover core emergency management, health and safety, and response disciplines, with an emphasis on skills that can be applied immediately in real world situations. We offer both foundational and advanced instruction to meet communities where they are and support steady growth in readiness and confidence.
Our instructors bring experience from multiple disciplines and are trained to support all hazard response environments. Team members include federally trained instructors and Pro Board certified professionals who have worked across emergency management, fire, safety, medical response, and disaster coordination. This breadth of experience allows our trainers to present material with an understanding of how different systems intersect during emergencies, while keeping instruction practical, relevant, and accessible.
At the center of our training approach is a commitment to capacity building, particularly within Tribal communities. We recognize that sustainable preparedness is built locally, through shared knowledge, trusted relationships, and culturally respectful delivery. Our goal is not to replace local response efforts, but to strengthen them by supporting communities in developing their own skills, leadership, and coordination capacity. Through this approach, CAL TERRA works to ensure that Tribal and non Tribal communities alike are better prepared to care for their people when emergencies occur.