Overview
Since the beginning, RDPC has worked diligently to develop and deliver training to small, rural and tribal communities throughout the United States. While Americans tend to have an idealized image of rural America, a common definition for “rural” is difficult to find and is one of the most popular questions asked of RDPC. Consistent with the guidance from the U.S. Census Bureau, RDPC defines rural communities it serves as “any location with a population of less than 50,000 and with a population density of less than 1,000 persons per square mile.” In addition to the U.S. Census Bureau, most Federal agencies use a population threshold of under 50,000 to define a “rural” area. RDPC interprets the phrase, “any location,” as applying to tribes, cities, towns, villages, parishes, communities, and counties, which provides a flexibility that ensures areas are not excluded unduly. For example, a city or township within an urban county fits the “rural” definition.
Mission
RDPC’s mission focuses on positioning rural and tribal communities to prepare for, prevent, respond, and recover from disasters by building capacity and skills through training.
Upcoming Events
- AWR-209 Working with the Media: A Course for Rural First Responders Jun 24, 2026 • Vidor, TX
- AWR-209 Working with the Media: A Course for Rural First Responders Aug 25, 2026 • Nazareth, PA