Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?

In the wake of the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School, Deschutes County Health Services and its community partners continue to provide support and resources to help individuals and families navigate grief, trauma and recovery.  In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, we talk with Shannon Brister-Raugust, Deschutes County Behavioral Health Director, about the community's response, the importance of emotional support following a traumatic event and the resources available to those who need them.

Election Day is approaching! In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison shares 10 things to help voters prepare for the Nov. 3 General Election.  From checking voter registration and understanding your ballot to returning it on time and tracking its status, we cover what voters need to know before and after Election Day.

Are you ready when an emergency happens?  In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, we’re talking emergency preparedness with Ashley Volz from Deschutes County Emergency Management and Carrie Karl, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Bend.  From wildfire season and evacuation to go-bags and everyday preparedness, Ashley and Carrie share practical tips to help you plan ahead and be ready when an emergency happens.  We also talk about what’s actually in their emergency kits, lessons learned from recent emergencies and why being prepared doesn’t have to be complicated.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. On this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Caroline Suiter and Bethany Kuschel from the Deschutes County Suicide Prevention team discuss how to recognize when someone may be struggling, start a conversation and help prevent suicide. They also highlight local prevention efforts, upcoming events and resources available in our community.

In this bonus episode, Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert and Emergency Manager Ben Duda discuss how decisions are made during a wildfire emergency. They explain how agencies work together, what factors influence emergency response and evacuation decisions, and what residents should know when conditions change quickly.

In this bonus episode of Inside Deschutes County, we take a closer look at how emergency alerts reach you during a wildfire or other emergency.  Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda and Deschutes County 911’s Chris Perry join us to explain how information moves from first responders in the field to the public, from a deputy knocking on your door to Deschutes Alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts and social media.  We also discuss lessons from recent wildfires and what you can do now to make sure you receive critical information when it matters most.

In this bonus wildfire update episode of Inside Deschutes County, Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda and Al De Vos with the Oregon Department of Forestry use the Akawa Butte Fire as a starting point for a discussion about wildfire response, preparedness and public safety in Central Oregon. They explain how agencies work together during a wildfire, what residents should know about evacuations and emergency notifications, and where to find trusted information throughout fire season.

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Fair & Expo Director Jeff Curtis counts down the 10 things you need to know before the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo returns July 29 through Aug. 2. From new attractions and entertainment to longtime traditions, Jeff shares what visitors can expect and highlights some of the biggest changes and additions for 2026. Whether you're planning your first visit or you've attended for years, you'll come away with a better understanding of what makes this year's fair a community tradition worth experiencing.

In this special bonus episode of Inside Deschutes County, the first in a series of wildfire season updates, Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda is joined by Heather Miller with the Oregon State Fire Marshal to discuss current fire conditions, fireworks safety and what residents should know heading into the Fourth of July weekend. They also share where to report fireworks concerns and simple steps everyone can take to help reduce wildfire risk. Fireworks reporting: • Deschutes County (county jurisdiction): Non-emergency, 541-693-6911 • City of Bend: 541-322-6380 | [email protected] • City of Redmond: 541-504-3040 | [email protected]

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Gary Costa and Jesse Kratz from Behavioral Health join Jeff Pickens from Community Justice to discuss their collaborative approach to supporting people on parole and probation.  Learn how this partnership connects clients with behavioral health services, improves outcomes and strengthens public safety through coordinated care.