Cultivating Safe and Respectful Work Environments: M.K. Youngblood
Cultivating Safe and Respectful Work Environments: M.K. Youngblood
At ACRT Pacific, we put safety first, always. So, when M.K. Youngblood joined ACRT Pacific, stepping into a safety-focused role only seemed natural.
The 30-year public service and first responder veteran brings an array of experience to our organization and more importantly, with a tribal lens. As the safety manager and tribal liaison at ACRT Pacific, Youngblood oversees our organizational safety programs, protocols, and policies, while keeping the curriculum up to date, and more.
Youngblood’s background highlights his experience in public service and as a first responder with core proficiency in Indian law, Indian culture, and disaster cleanup.
“I find great value in being able to incorporate both safety and tribal aspects into my role at ACRT Pacific. Whether it’s through conducting webinars, speaking at industry events, or writing for an industry publication, I enjoy being able to cultivate safe, yet respectful, work environments,” explains Youngblood.
He serves as a certified indirect trainer for the U.S. Department of Energy (National Nuclear Security Administration and Center for Radiological Nuclear Training), U.S. Emergency Management Institute, and Center for Domestic Preparedness, and as the tribal secretary for the Haslett Basin Holkama Mono Tribe of Fresno County, Calif.
For the past 11 years, Youngblood has led the California Tribal Emergency Response & Relief Agency (CAL TERRA) as its chief officer. He also leads presentations for regional safety organizations, developed apprenticeship curricula for use nationwide in cultural conservation and environmental science, and has written peer review articles for safety in the utility industry.
He earned a California Naturalist designation from the University of California, Davis, and serves as the tribal historic preservation officer for the Haslett Basin Holkama Mono Nation in Fresno, Calif. Youngblood is currently working toward a special bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno in disaster archeology, cultural and natural resources, with a minor in American Indian studies.
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