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 SERV-OR Bulletin 📣 March 2026
Big Changes Ahead for SERV-OR
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Big Changes Ahead for SERV-OR: What This Means for You | Abby Morris & Stuart C Vaughters
There is exciting news to share from the last legislative session. Senate Bill 837 passed, marking a major milestone for Oregon’s volunteer preparedness system and bringing several important updates to programs under the SERV-OR umbrella. These changes affect both the State Managed Volunteer Pool (SMVP) and Oregon’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units, and they open new opportunities for how volunteers can support communities across the state.
One of the most significant updates is that for the first time... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Spring Into Action: Cleaning Tips Plus Fire & Emergency Prep | Jacqueline Felix
 As we step into Spring, many will conduct routine spring-cleaning activities in their homes. From clearing out garages and closets, to deep cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, and everything in between, this is a helpful reminder of cleaning safety precautions and an opportunity to conduct safety inspections of safety features in your home.
Household Cleaning
Everyone loves a clean home; remember safety matters too—always store, use, and handle household cleaning products properly to protect your family. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper use of products. Never mix cleaning products... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Important Announcement: Farewell to the Clackamas County MRC | Kirsten Ingersoll
Due to significant and sustained declines in funding, the Clackamas County Public Health Division has made the difficult decision to close the Clackamas County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit, effective February 28, 2026.
For 17 years, Clackamas County MRC volunteers have supported emergency response and public health preparedness efforts, strengthening community resilience across our county. This decision reflects funding realities—not the extraordinary value of our volunteers’ contributions, for which we are deeply grateful.
We are excited to continue strengthening our relationship with... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Strengthening Emergency Response: Eric Missman, Yamhill County MRC Coordinator | Mark Schorr
Eric Missman is the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Coordinator for Yamhill County. Holding the role for the past year and a half, he prepares for public health emergencies like disease outbreaks, wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and hazardous material or bioterrorism incidents. “My job is basically to make sure public health isn’t scrambling when something bad happens, mostly by writing and implementing plans, coordinating with partners, and ensuring staff readiness.” CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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Eric Missman, Emergency Preparedness / Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator - Yamhill County Public Health
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30 Years Later: The Great Flood of 1996 | Anthony Brande*
I still remember the 18-inches of water that flooded my grandmother’s home just a few feet shy of where the flood line ended. In February 1996, severe snowmelt and heavy rains triggered one of the worst floods in Oregon’s modern history, inundating communities from Portland to the Willamette Valley. As 2026 marks the 30-year anniversary, the flood remains a defining event, causing widespread property damages across the Pacific Northwest exceeding $1 billion (weather.gov). Beyond property damage, it disrupted hospitals, contaminated water systems, and... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE
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NEXT ISSUE: We celebrate & recognize SERV-OR Volunteers!
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Thank you: Anthony Brande, Danielle Brown, Mark Dodge, Jacqueline Felix, Nancy Flores-Sánchez, Gloria Hale, Velda Handler, Carissa Heiniege, Kirsten Ingersoll, Kimberly Jones, Paul Kaplan, Jessica Kosydar, Melissa McKinney, Eric Missman, Michelle Morales-Hamilton, Abby Morris, Dan Norton, Mojisola Obiako, Cynthia Rodriguez, Lucy Rowing, Jeff Rubin, Mark Schorr, Caroline Tydings, Stuart C Vaughters, and Lila Wickham.
Oregon scenic images are courtesy of volunteers Kimberly Jones, Bianca Rosa, Jeff Rubin and Stuart C Vaughters.
The individuals named above played an essential role in bringing this edition of the SERV-OR Bulletin to life. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work were invaluable to this publication!
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Mission
The mission of the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon (SERV-OR) and Oregon’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) network is to ensure health and well-being, educate, and protect all people in Oregon.
We will accomplish this through recruiting, registering, training, exercising, and deploying volunteers to support public health initiatives, health and medical needs during public health crises, and by improving access to preparedness education and resources for all individuals and communities.
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