Building Safer Alaska Schools:

Our August 2026 Visit to Yakutat and Hoonah

By Michael C. Kimball, CEO

In August 2026, our M.C. Kimball and Associates, Inc team traveled to the Southeast Alaska communities of Yakutat and Hoonah. This trip gave us valuable opportunities to work with local educators, school boards, tribal councils, law enforcement, local leaders, healthcare professionals, and community members. Everyone shared a strong commitment to making Alaska schools safer and better prepared.

Active Crisis Training in Yakutat

We started our trip in Yakutat, where we enjoyed the beautiful scenery, sunny weather, and cool temperatures around 46 degrees. Silver salmon were jumping from the water, showing that fishing season was underway.

Even more impressive than the scenery was the enthusiasm and commitment of the Yakutat community. Over 40 people from the school district, tribal community, and local clinic joined our six-hour Active Crisis Training, which focused on how to respond to active-shooter and violent-intruder situations.

During the training, participants took part in hands-on drills, guided scenarios, case studies, and group learning activities. The course covered situational awareness, different response strategies, and using emotional intelligence for prevention, decision-making, communication, and self-defense. Everyone practiced spotting possible dangers, reacting to changing situations, and choosing the best response during a crisis.

Everyone was highly engaged. Participants were eager to learn, ready to help, and committed to improving their readiness as a group. Their involvement showed that school safety works best when educators, healthcare workers, tribal members, law enforcement, and other community partners train and prepare together.

The Yakutat Police Department and local first responders supported us throughout our visit. They even loaned us a police vehicle while we were in the community, which was a generous act of hospitality and partnership that we truly appreciated.

A Warm Welcome in Hoonah

After our great experience in Yakutat, we flew to Juneau and then took a ferry to Hoonah. The ride, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests, and nearby islands, gave us unforgettable views of Southeast Alaska.  We saw whales, porpoises, otters, and bald eagles under clear blue skies and the bright blue ocean. 

When we arrived in Hoonah, we were welcomed warmly by the police chief, the mayor, school educators and leaders, and members of the Huna Heritage Foundation. The foundation also gave each of us a special local tribal gift, a gesture we will always remember. Three cruise ships were nearby, bringing visitors to this picturesque community nestled along the mountainside. With its spectacular views of the ocean, surrounding mountains, and nearby islands, Hoonah made an immediate and lasting impression on our team.

Although our time in the community was brief, we completed an initial school safety walk-through and spoke with several staff members and community partners. What we learned helped us prepare a preliminary safety assessment report for the Hoonah City School District and School Board. The report highlighted areas to improve safety, emergency preparedness, communication, training, and community collaboration. 

On our last day there the Hoonah Police Chief expressed his full support for our work and our company. The mayor also offered heartfelt thanks for our presence and for our commitment to helping create safer Alaska schools. Their encouragement reinforced the importance of building lasting partnerships among schools, law enforcement, tribal organizations, healthcare providers, local government, first responders, and the greater community.

More Than a Training Trip

Our August visit was about more than just training or doing an assessment. It was about listening, learning, building relationships, and supporting communities that truly care about their students, staff, families, neighbors, and communities.  It was about honoring stories, rituals, and customs.

The people of Yakutat and Hoonah showed us that being ready starts with strong relationships. When schools and community partners plan, train, communicate, and work together, they build a safer and more lasting culture of safety.

We came home grateful for the hospitality, trust, and friendship we received. Yakutat and Hoonah truly touched our hearts, and we look forward to working with Alaska schools and visiting these wonderful communities again.

Together, we are helping build safer, better prepared, and more resilient Alaska schools.