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Director's Message
Veterans Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the selfless service of military members and the difference they make in the world we live. Regardless of the situation or circumstances, our military veterans have faithfully answered the call to respond in times of crisis.
In emergency management, we often rely on military support when our state is in need. The Oregon National Guard diligently answers every call to support state emergencies, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, floods and winter ice storms. We are grateful for the sacrifices service members and their families make to put their lives on hold for the sake of helping others. They not only serve in a military uniform, but many veterans continue their service as first responders and emergency management professionals.
These veterans bring invaluable skills to emergency and disaster response with their experience, resilience, commitment and teamwork. No task or mission is too daunting to extinguish the fervor of their dedication. I’m incredibly proud of all the military veterans working for us on the OEM team, as well as those we work with among our emergency management partners. This Veterans Day, we pause to say “thank you” for the difference you’ve made and continue to make with your service.
Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.
Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management
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Winter Weather Critical Safety Messages
The RDPO Disaster Messaging Work Group of the Portland Metro Region has gathered 100+ critical safety messages to share with communities in the week ahead of a winter weather event and throughout the event. Messages highlight what do to before a storm; staying safe indoors and outdoors; hypothermia and frostbite; safety during a power outage; carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; flood safety; and health management. These messages speak to those most impacted by winter events: People living outside, people with low incomes, seniors vulnerable to cold, people with medical needs vulnerable to power outages, people hesitant to use heat because of the utility expenses, etc. The messages will be translated into 25 languages, compiled in a spreadsheet, and shared widely with partners. For more info, contact Kate Szrom, City of Portland COAD Coordinator, at coad@portlandoregon.gov.
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SPIRE grant equips Clackamas Fire with specialized rescue boat
The State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) grant program has equipped Clackamas Fire with a new boat to increase response capabilities on the waters. The 21-foot-long boat, called an SJX, is designed to navigate waters as shallow as two inches.
The Clackamas Fire Swift Water Rescue Team, a team of highly trained firefighters that responds to water-related emergencies using advanced rescue techniques and equipment, has been trained on the boat, which is now in service. The boat will be housed at station #19 in Damascus.
Clackamas Fire submitted for a SPIRE grant back in 2018 to increase emergency infrastructure as well as emergency response. The SPIRE grant program provides equipment to local governments and other recipients for emergency preparedness, funding the purchase and distribution of equipment to be used during an emergency to decrease the risk for loss of life and property damage.
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UO partners with state to improve tsunami evacuation planning
The University of Oregon has partnered with the state to build a web-based platform that directs Oregon coastal communities to evacuation routes in the event of a tsunami. The tool allows evacuees to enter their home or workplace address on the map and make a plan for future evacuations. Visitors to the site are able to pick locations along the Oregon Coast and view which areas fall into earthquake and tsunami regions, as well as the region’s outside known impact zones. From there, users can generate the closest tsunami evacuation routes from any location within the mapped region. Users can also chart the amount of time they have to evacuate from their current location; how long it will take to evacuate if they walk, jog or run; and where the best evacuation assembly area is located. The project adds an additional layer of security for tsunami evacuation preparation.
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Free well testing resumes for wildfire survivors
The Oregon Health Authority has reopened free private well testing for September 2020 wildfire survivors. OHA will provide vouchers for private or "domestic" water testing to fire-impacted well owners. Vouchers will cover testing for Arsenic, Nitrate, Bacteria, Lead and, depending on damage assessment results, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX). Even if the fire did not directly damage your well, or if you have repaired damage to your well, testing is an important step in recovering your property. Applications are open now through May 15, 2023.
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CISA Infrastructure Security Month
Nov. 1 marked the start of Infrastructure Security Month, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)’s annual effort to emphasize the vital role critical infrastructure plays in the nation’s wellbeing. This year’s theme --“Critical Infrastructure and Resilience: Build it in.” -- reminds stakeholders how important it is to consider infrastructure security and resilience from design concept through development and implementation. Each week throughout November, CISA will spotlight a different way to think about how to build in critical infrastructure security and resilience. There are many ways you can act, whether through preparedness and exercises, learning about your organization’s interdependencies and planning accordingly, or promoting smart, secure investment in resilient national infrastructure.
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Deadline for SBA Federal Disaster Loan for drought
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding Oregon small nonfarm businesses in Baker, Grant, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties of the Dec. 2, 2021, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses due to reduced revenues caused by drought that began April 1, 2021. Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
OEM hiring Mitigation Representatives
The Office of Emergency Management is hiring three permanent Mitigation Representative (PA2) positions to be part of the Hazard Mitigation team and report to the Mitigation and Individual Assistance Section Manager, working to support the various mitigation programs within OEM. This is an ongoing recruitment and will remain open until filled. This position is a permanent position within the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, located in Salem. OEM will host a Zoom call at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 for all interested applicants to discuss the scope of work and areas of responsibility. Since the recruitment is ongoing until filled, there will be additional calls at 1 p.m. on Dec. 9 and Jan. 11, 2022. (Meeting ID: 852 2632 3131 | Passcode: 878839)
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Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children now available
Pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children have been deemed safe and effective for children ages 5 through 11. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup strongly urges states to make every effort to reduce or eliminate disparities in the availability and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in children ages 5 through 11 years of age, as well as in older children, adolescents and adults. The state is working to make pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine available through Oregon’s federally qualified health centers, local public health authorities, pharmacies and pediatric clinics. Caregivers can call their provider, 211, or use the Get Vaccinated Oregon Vaccine Locator Map to find a provider with available pediatric doses of Pfizer. Those with Oregon Health Plan coverage will want to make sure their pharmacy accepts OHP coverage.
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Federal Share of Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon
2020 Flooding: $2,295,278
2020 Wildfire: $256,124,222
COVID-19: $365,021,939
2021 Ice Storm: $1,017,623
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