Photo By Nathan Rivard | Katie Leitch, planning specialist and emergency management accreditation program,...... read more read more
When Planning Specialist Katie Leitch joined the Lignite Coast Tabletop Exercise in Benin this May, she wasn’t just there to represent North Dakota. She was there to collaborate, learn, and share a vision for resilient communities. Something she’s been committed to throughout her career in emergency management.
Leitch, a specialist with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), was part of a five-person North Dakota team that included both civilian and military participants. The team traveled to Grand-Popo from May 12–16, 2025, to engage with more than 45 Beninese emergency response professionals as part of the ongoing State Partnership Program (SPP).
With a degree in Emergency Management from North Dakota State University and four years of experience in her current role, Leitch leads and supports the development of comprehensive plans that address all phases of emergency management. A heavy focus on prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. She also plays a critical role in state emergency operations, often serving as the information and intelligence unit leader or deputy planning Section chief during statewide activations.
“At NDDES, our work ensures the state is prepared to manage a wide range of incidents with clarity and coordination,” Leitch said. “This trip to Benin was about sharing those lessons, but also listening closely to learn how our partners operate under their own systems and conditions.”
This was Leitch’s second trip to Benin, having previously traveled to Cotonou in April for planning meetings. In this follow-up engagement, she supported the instructional team by helping facilitate Incident Command System (ICS) training and providing support throughout the tabletop exercise. She also observed closely how Benin’s emergency coordination structures function in real time.
“Success for me looks like strengthening the SPP by fostering meaningful relationships, enhancing coordination, and driving collaboration across all agencies,” she said. “It’s about reinforcing shared capabilities and identifying areas where we can all improve.”
Leitch brought to the table more than just technical knowledge. She came prepared. She studied French, reviewed Benin’s government structure, assessed regional hazards, and built on notes from her April trip. Her efforts ensured that the support she offered was culturally aware and grounded in the local operational context.
“One of the biggest challenges in these kinds of engagements is making sure exercises stay rooted in what’s actually possible within the partner country’s capabilities,” Leitch noted. “We have to be mindful not to impose outside methods, but instead focus on open dialogue and realistic scenario planning.”
Her impact in Benin extended beyond the classroom. By helping guide realistic planning conversations, she promoted an environment where trust and learning could flourish.
“A lot of the value comes from being in the room together, having honest conversations about what’s working and what’s not,” she said. “That kind of engagement builds stronger partnerships and better outcomes for both sides.”
Leitch sees her participation in international exercises like this as more than a job, it’s a critical mission. She volunteered for the trip out of a desire to contribute meaningfully to global resilience and to learn from others navigating their own emergency management challenges.
“This work will always matter,” she said. “Disasters and emergencies are becoming more complex. The more we collaborate and support one another, the better prepared we all are to respond. It’s about protecting people, communities, and the systems that hold them together.”
Looking ahead, Leitch hopes to continue working with Benin and other international partners. For her, the true reward lies in seeing others take the tools and strategies shared during these exercises and make them their own.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2025 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 499001 |
| Location: | GRAND POPO, BJ |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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