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Director's Message
All emergencies are public information emergencies regardless of whether the state ECC is activated and formally coordinating or just in a monitoring posture. This week, I’d like to recognize the often overlooked yet invaluable work of our state’s communicators and their incredible impact on our collective mission. These communicators are constantly connecting, verifying, applying what’s learned and overcoming constant barriers to ensure Oregonians get the information they need to make informed decisions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. This involves countless phone calls and emails, fact checking, media response, constant monitoring and situational awareness while constantly seeking ways to take technical jargon and turn it into digestible and valuable information and resources.
Our community of communicators throughout the state is often informal – some counties or local partners have emergency managers serving as PIOs, where others have dedicated staff. All of us are prioritizing the crisis of the day while navigating the onslaught of challenges everyone else is facing. Actions taken by Oregonians during recent winter storms and ongoing severe weather impacts underscore the success of our state communicators’ collective messaging efforts. On Dec. 26, TripCheck had a record peak with 1,530,494 page views; the metrics for that day were nearly two times greater compared to the previous record during the 2020 wildfires. Hundreds of Oregonians filled warming shelters in multiple counties during the cold snap; others more recently sought out sandbag stations in flood-risk areas. The public visited and engaged with multiple social media sites to stay up to date on news and resources.
Thanks to our state’s emergency management communicators, we’re more effectively prioritizing risk reduction to ensure our communities are ready and prepared for the disasters of today and tomorrow.
Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other.
Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management
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OEM releases 2020 State of the State Capability Assessment
OEM has released its 2020 State of the State Capability Assessment, an annual assessment of Oregon counties, select cities, tribal partners and state agencies. The 2020 results indicate Oregon is developing capability in several key areas of emergency management including planning, operational coordination, and logistics and supply chain management. Progress in all areas of emergency management was significantly challenged by the disasters experienced in 2020, but these disasters also advanced growth as ad hoc solutions were created, new partnerships were developed, and plans were tested. Despite increasing capability, all core capabilities have identified gaps and no single area has a high overall rating. If you’d like to receive a PDF of the 2020 assessment, please email a request to public.info@state.or.us. You can also visit the State of the State dashboard to view specific data for each mission area.
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Prolonged, severe blood shortage affecting local hospitals and trauma centers
January is National Blood Donor Month and Bloodworks Northwest and the American Red Cross are combating the most prolonged and severe blood shortage in recent years affecting local hospitals and trauma centers across the Pacific Northwest. Bloodworks NW cannot meet hospital needs due to dangerously low supplies of Type O and A. The recent dramatic rise in the Omicron variant means fewer donors are available to donate; new and returning donors are urged to book and keep appointments to donate every 56 days. Make an appointment today at Bloodworks NW and the American Red Cross.
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Hospitals need our help: Do not go to the emergency department for Covid testing
With Covid case increases and quarantine and isolation changes, testing has become difficult to access. Hospitals and partners are urging people to look for testing sites in their area and avoid going to the emergency department for a Covid test unless they require emergency care for their symptoms. Please amplify that messaging with your communities by sharing the following: Need a Covid-19 test? Don’t go to the emergency department. Check here for local testing options.
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OHA shares social cards
The Oregon Health Authority has developed an Omicron Response Plan to protect against the Omicron variant in the state and its impacts on vulnerable communities and Oregon’s health care system. The priority is to urge 1 million Oregonians to get boosters by the end of January. OHA has expanded its high-capacity vaccination clinics that offer all three vaccines at no cost with no appointment needed. The agency has also created a number of social cards as a resource that can be shared with communities, including cards with details on the clinics as well as booster Q&A. Explore the social cards at OHA’s Covid Blog.
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2021 FEMA National Preparedness Report
FEMA's National Preparedness Report is an annual report that summarizes progress made, and challenges that remain, in building and sustaining the capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats, hazards, and incidents that pose the greatest risk to the nation. Check out the full report or the executive summary.
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Upcoming FEMA Webinars
Flood Preparedness: 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Jan. 20, Zoom
This webinar will address flood considerations, including recent and past trends in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Subject matter experts will discuss how communities can prepare and mitigate prior to a flooding event. Learn about flood insurance vs. disaster assistance and how that may impact recovery. Registration Link
Resolve to be Prepared: 12:15-1 p.m., Jan. 25, Microsoft Teams
Washington Emergency Management Division is hosting a webinar with tips on how to spend a little bit of time each month this year on how to get prepared. No registration necessary, join on Facebook.
Animals and Preparedness Winter Weather Series, Pets & Small Animals: 12-1 p.m., Jan. 26, Zoom
This webinar will focus on how to safely care for small animals and pets during the cold winter months. Subject matter experts will speak about what to look for when caring for pets and small animals and how to keep animals safe as temperatures drop. Guest speakers will include veterinarians and preparedness experts from the state of Alaska. Registration Link
Animals and Preparedness Winter Weather Series, Livestock & Large Animals: 12-1 p.m., Feb. 2, Zoom
This webinar will focus on how to safely care for large animals and livestock during the cold winter months. Subject matter experts will speak about what to look for when you experience cold temperatures and how to keep animals safe and well. Guest speakers will include veterinarians and preparedness experts from the state of Alaska. Registration Link
Low- to No-Cost Preparedness Tips & Tricks: 12:15-1 p.m., Jan. 27, Zoom
This webinar will discuss simple and effective practices that will help you learn about the types of disasters that can impact you and how to prepare your household and community. Presenters will include preparedness experts from the state emergency management offices of Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and FEMA Region 10. Registration Link
Quarterly Region 10 CERT Best Practices Series Q1: 7-8 p.m., Jan. 27, Zoom
This quarterly webinar series will focus on best practices of Community Emergency Response Teams across Region 10, highlighting ongoing efforts, changes due to COVID-19, and best practices for engaging within the community. Guest speakers will be active CERT members from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, as well as state and local partners that collaborate with CERT teams. (Future quarters: Idaho, April 28; Oregon, July 28; Wash., Oct. 27). Registration Link for series.
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NRCS Oregon accepting applications for agricultural land easements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging local sponsors to submit project requests for funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers several programs to help communities improve land and water resources within watersheds as well as relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by a disaster. Programs include the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program, Watershed Rehabilitation Program and Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Funding is available for new projects as well as those already submitted to NRCS. NRCS will give additional consideration to projects in historically underserved communities that directly benefit limited resource areas or socially disadvantaged communities. Learn more at the NRCS website.
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Deadline approaching for SBA working capital loans due to severe winter storm
Oregon private nonprofit organizations have until Feb. 4 to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by the severe winter storm that occurred Feb. 11-15, 2021. Low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Benton, Clackamas, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance and may apply for loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Assistance is available regardless of whether the private nonprofit suffered any property damage. Apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
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OEM Career Opportunities
Grant Accountant (Accountant 3): Apply at Workday by Jan. 18.
Responsible for the grant accounting related to the Homeland Security Grant Program, which includes reviewing requests for reimbursements in accordance with state and federal regulations, providing technical assistance to subrecipients, ensuring federal funds are drawn and paid to subrecipients, and conducting monthly reconciliations of open HSGP grants. Full-time, permanent position located in Salem.
Grants Assistant (Administrative Specialist 1): Apply at Workday by Jan. 21.
Coordinate administrative tasks supporting the various Dept. of Homeland Security grant programs administered by OEM. This position provides administrative support to grants coordinators and accountants. Full-time, permanent position located in Salem. Applicant information discussion: 9 a.m. on Jan. 13 via Zoom (Meeting ID: 872 7928 9038, Passcode: 366227).
Executive Assistants (Executive Support Specialist 2) 2 positions: Apply at Workday by Jan. 27.
Responsible for supporting the Preparedness and Response and Mitigation and Recovery Division Directors with administrative research, analysis, evaluation of program operations, stakeholder coordination, report development, legislative session tracking and product development, state executive level advisory committees support, meeting facilitation and records management. Full-time, permanent position located in Salem. Applicant information discussion: 3 p.m. on Jan. 20 via Zoom (Meeting ID: 862 0659 5377, Passcode: 666399).
Budget Analyst (Fiscal Analyst 3): Apply at Workday by Jan. 27.
Responsible for budget preparation and monitoring, policy analysis, grant monitoring, development of Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s indirect cost rate and developing and preparing annual performance progress reports. Full-time, permanent position located in Salem.
Mitigation Program Representative (Program Analyst 2): Apply at Workday by Feb. 4.
Coordinates with and supports the State Hazard Mitigation Officer in the administration and management of the State’s Hazard Mitigation Program objectives. Full-time, permanent position located in Salem. Applicant information discussion: 1 p.m. on Jan. 11 (Meeting ID 852 2632 3131, Passcode 878839).
9-1-1 Project Portfolio Manager (Information Systems Specialist 8): Apply at Workday by Feb. 18.
Responsible for providing project portfolio management leadership and the coordination of a statewide approach to implement modern cost-effective Next Generation 9-1-1 Core Services for Oregon’s 43 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Full-time, limited-duration position located in Salem.
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Readiness Resources
OEM has produced graphics to help message readiness. Click on the image and save as a picture, then post, share or embed as needed!
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Federal Share of Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon
DR4519—2020 Flooding: $2,450,564
DR4562—2020 Wildfire: $324,142,341
DR4499—COVID-19: $365,789,410
DR4599—2021 Ice Storm: $2,009,618
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