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Director's Message
As a state, we’ve endured more than our fair share of hazards, disasters and emergencies these past few years. Now, as we enter the rainy season and La Niña conditions, our citizens face an increased risk of flooding, landslides and debris flows due to the impacts of wildfire.
Folks, these events are not anomalies or outliers. They are indicators of a changing hazard profile and point to the types of emergencies and disasters Oregon and others will continue to face. We must change how we views these emergencies. They are not natural disasters, because disasters are not natural; disasters are policy issues. They are a result of how we build, where we build, and the investments we choose, or do not choose, to make.
I’m proud to be testifying before the U.S. Congress House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at 7 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 26, on behalf of the National Emergency Management Association, representing the state emergency management directors of all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia. I’ll be discussing how FEMA’s programs are equipped to handle wildfires and recommending how its policies and response strategies need to evolve with the unique threat posed by climate change, particularly wildfires, and the need for adaptive policies and a whole-of-government approach to finding solutions. Click here to view the live hearing.
Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.
Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management
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Preparedness considerations during a power outage
FEMA Region 10 Individual and Community Preparedness Team will present a virtual Halloween House of Hazards from 7-7:45 p.m. on Oct. 26. The team welcomes all to discuss preparedness considerations during a power outage. Expect fun and Halloween-inspired twists and be ready to have a spooky, good time!
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Preparedness Outreach Campaign
Marion County Emergency Management has put together an outreach campaign that focuses on multiple topics throughout the year. Each month details specific areas for improvement so cities can aid in making their communities more resilient to all hazards. You can follow along with the outreach event to improve your preparedness, or you can focus on a month with a specific topic you know needs improvement.
As part of its October topic, the campaign focuses on mitigation strategies. Part of hazard mitigation planning is establishing areas for the public when disasters do occur. Since disasters can occur at any time of year, we need to plan for different seasons and conditions to be ready to house, shelter and provide for individuals. You can learn more by signing up for FEMA's Shelter Field Guide Training for state and local communities. November's topic is Resource Requests and Declarations, and December focuses on Community/Critical Lifelines. If you’re not already receiving this valuable information, email Marion County Emergency Management and ask to be added to the distribution.
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Oregon Damage Assessment Project
The Office of Emergency Management has created a unified damage assessment solution to collect home and business damage assessment data consistently. Jurisdictions can utilize this solution to collect, view, edit and approve records submitted through interactive dashboards. Once information has been approved, response partners are provided view-only access to assist in disaster declaration processes and recovery efforts. If you have an existing ArcGIS Online account, email eccgis@mil.state.or.us with your user name to be added into relevant groups for your jurisdiction, including field workers and reviewers. If you do not have an ArcGIS Online account, send an email requesting an account. Once the account is approved, it will be added into the relevant groups for your jurisdiction.
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Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is hosting a free two-hour security webinar to enhance awareness of and response to an active shooter event. Preparing employees for a potential active shooter incident is an integral component of an organization’s incident response planning. Because active shooter incidents are unpredictable and evolve quickly, preparing for and knowing what to do in an active shooter situation can be the difference between life and death. The webinar will provide information about best practices, communications protocols and resources that will assist stakeholders to develop or enhance their emergency planning, preparedness and response to active shooter incidents. Note: This is not a tactical training course. The event will take place at 1 p.m. on Nov. 5; click the link to register. An email with information to connect to the webinar will be sent the day prior to the event.
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Local and volunteer networks in the era of COVID-19
FEMA is holding a webinar on how local and volunteer networks can stay connected in the era of COVID-19. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 3, the webinar will highlight a local jurisdiction’s robust partnership between county public health, local fire departments, volunteers and non-governmental organizations. With a focus on coordinated public health efforts, this event will share how organizations in Snohomish County, Washington, have supported their community during COVID-19.
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Preparedness Graphics
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Great Oregon ShakeOut and practiced Drop, Cover and Hold On! After a real earthquake, Oregonians need to be prepared by having an emergency plan and two weeks worth of supplies. OEM has created a number of social media graphics for preparedness, available in English, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese. If you're interested in obtaining copies, email OEM's public affairs office.
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Financial assistance available to Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest landowners
Opportunities are available for Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest owners to perform voluntary conservation activities on their privately-owned land with financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS Oregon announced a new sign-up deadline for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program; applicants must apply by Nov. 19 to be considered for the first round of fiscal year 2022 funding.
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State Drought Declaration Process
In Oregon, 25 counties have received Executive Orders issuing state drought declarations. Over 98% of the state is classified as experiencing moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor, with little change in conditions over recent weeks. The primary benefits of a state drought declaration from the Governor are that it creates greater awareness of drought conditions, facilitates coordination between state agencies, and allows the Water Resources Dept. to provide existing water right holders with access to emergency water management tools. The Governor or the Oregon Water Resources Commission can also direct state agencies and political subdivisions to implement a water conservation plan or water curtailment plan.
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Federal Share of Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon
2020 Flooding: $2,258,053
2020 Wildfire: $251,791,355
COVID-19: $339,526,030
2021 Ice Storm: $784,994
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