100 Counties Prepared Training – Buncombe County

Thursday, May 14, 2026 • Buncombe County

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, in partnership with North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), has refreshed its 100 Counties Prepared training series and invites you to register for one of three identical in-person regional training sessions taking place this spring in the Piedmont, eastern, and western regions of the state.

While the course is designed primarily for county commissioners, counties are encouraged to register other key staff — such as emergency managers, county managers, public information officers, attorneys, or others involved in disaster response and recovery. Registration is limited to county officials and staff.

Originally launched in 2021 as part of an NCACC Presidential Initiative led by Frank Williams, Brunswick County Commissioner, 100 Counties Prepared equips county leadership with practical, decision-focused guidance for leading before, during, and after emergencies. The new refreshed series updates content to clarify the legal authorities during disasters, operational best practices for counties and expands training offerings to better support today’s challenges.

This spring’s in-person sessions will focus on Crisis Communications, including countering misinformation and navigating real-world disaster scenarios, and will also include a high-level Emergency Management 101 overview tailored for county leadership.

Featured Speakers:

• Greg Atchley, Western Region Branch Manager at North Carolina Emergency Management
• Mark Weaver, a nationally recognized crisis communications attorney and consultant with more than three decades of experience advising public- and private-sector leaders on crisis response, misinformation, and high-profile communications challenges.
• Norma Houston, Disaster Recovery Advisor, NCACC a highly respected leader in public law and emergency management with more than 30 years of public service. Houston is widely regarded as a trusted resource for local officials on emergency management authorities, FEMA compliance, and public procurement, and previously served as a lecturer at the UNC School of Government and adjunct professor at the UNC School of Law.
• Jordan Rink, Director of the Region 4 North Carolina Recovery Office at Federal Emergency Management Agency

Similar trainings were held on April 9 in Wake County (State Emergency Operations Center) and April 30 in Craven County (New Bern Convention Center). 

Schedule

• 8:30 a.m. — Registration Opens
• 9:00 a.m. — Welcome
• 9:15 a.m. — Emergency Management 101
• 10:00 a.m. — Break
• 10:15 a.m. — Federal, State, and Local Collaboration
• 11:00 a.m. — Crisis Communications – Part 1 
• 11:45 a.m. — FEMA Recovery Office Remarks
• 12:00 p.m. — Lunch
• 12:30 p.m. — Crisis Communications – Part 2, Scenarios in the Wake of Disaster 
• 3:30 p.m. — Wrap Up and Adjourn 

Click here to view the full agenda.

Registration

Registration for this event is $25. Registration will close on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. or until seats are filled.

On-site registration will be available if seating allows. Please note that a credit card will be required for all on-site, day-of registrations.

All attendees and participants in NCACC meetings and events are required to abide by NCACC’s Event Code of Conduct and acknowledge that NCACC may take photos/audio/video during the event which may be used in NCACC news and promotional materials, in print, electronic and other media.

Note: If you have any questions about this event registration, please email [email protected].