|
Director's Message
Last week, I spoke about the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami that struck the Pacific Island nation of Tonga, resulting in a tsunami warning for the Pacific Coast--the first time the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers have issued an alert based on a volcanic source. While there was an unfortunate loss of life and property in Tonga, Oregon was spared any major damage.
This Wednesday, Jan. 26, marks 322 years since the last Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake struck the Pacific Coast and sent a tsunami across the ocean to the shores of Japan, leading Governor Brown to proclaim Jan. 23-29 as Cascadia Earthquake Preparedness Week.
As emergency managers, we know all too well scientists predict the chances that a mega-CSZ earthquake will occur within the next 50 years are about one in 10. There are significant differences between a volcanic tsunami far off in the Pacific Ocean and a tsunami triggered by a CSZ quake, the biggest being the amount of time it takes for the tsunami to reach shore. Whereas the Tonga tsunami took several hours to cross the ocean, giving our communities and emergency managers hours to prepare, our coastal communities would have only minutes to flee a tsunami of up to 100 feet in height caused by a major CSZ earthquake just offshore.
The past two years of disasters have underscored the importance of our efforts to educate Oregonians about being prepared at our home and in our communities, ensuring equitable access to resources and clearly communicating the reality of the hazards we face across the state. Actions taken have demonstrated the connectivity among our partners and underscored the success of our collective efforts, not the least of which is Oregonians making decisions to protect themselves and their families.
We continue to be reminded that communication is key. Messaging as proactively as possible to provide current and accurate information about the hazards and available resources helps ensure Oregonians are better able to make choices to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and access the resources they need. Let’s use the opportunity of last week’s advisory and this week’s anniversary to continue amplifying the importance of preparedness, for any disaster, to all Oregonians.
Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management
|
|
|
DLCD offers free virtual Oregon Floodplain Management training
The Oregon Department of Land Conversation and Development is offering two opportunities to attend free virtual Oregon Floodplain Management training. The training will discuss the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain management principles for Substantial Damage and assessments and determinations and review standard methods and best practices for local communities. Floodplain administrators, building officials, emergency managers, permit and zoning planners, and elected officials are all invited to attend. Click the links below to register:
|
|
Explore Oregon Podcast discusses state’s Search and Rescue missions
OEM Search and Rescue Coordinator Scott Lucas recently sat down with the Explore Oregon Podcast to talk about the search and rescue missions taking place in Oregon's outdoors. Lucas explains why Oregon has one of the highest numbers of rescue missions in the U.S., why the number of rescues has increased, where they're taking place, and ways people can reduce their risk when exploring the outdoors. Listen in at statesmanjournal.com.
|
|
|
IPP forecast forms due by Feb. 9
A reminder for county and tribal emergency managers and OERS Council members: Statewide Integrated Preparedness Plan forecast forms for planning, training and exercise activities are due to OEM by Feb. 9. The IPP form allows a jurisdiction to report one planning/training/exercise activity per submission; a new form will need to be completed for each additional item. The forecast date range for the Statewide Integrated Preparedness Plan is April 1, 2022–June 30, 2024. Please reach out to Karen Layng or Kimber Townsend with questions.
|
|
OHA introduces website and hotline to report positive COVID-19 results
The Oregon Health Authority has a new Positive COVID Test website and COVID-19 Case Support Hotline, 866-917-8881, for people who test positive for COVID-19 to report results from an at-home test kit or testing provider. People can complete an online survey to report their positive case or get help completing the survey through the hotline, available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both formats also offer information on isolation and other ways to keep individuals and loved ones safe while recovering. The survey information shared will be used to track the spread and impact of the disease and allow OHA to focus on where to reduce the spread of the virus and close health equity gaps for disproportionately affected groups. The information collected is kept confidential and only used for public health response purposes. Those with general COVID‑19 questions, seeking testing or vaccines, or needing help finding other resources should call 211.
|
|
|
USDA supports climate-smart agriculture
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service announced several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Conservation Incentive Contracts, which address priority resource concerns like improving soil health in high-priority areas. Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, feed management and residue and tillage management that target resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion.
Conservation Incentive Contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within state high-priority areas and build on existing conservation efforts. Learn about Oregon’s high-priority areas across the state on the EQIP-CIC webpage and apply by Feb. 11 through your local USDA Service Center.
|
|
FEMA accepting Youth Preparedness Council applications
Students in grades 8 through 11 interested in supporting disaster preparedness and making a difference in their communities are encouraged to join the Youth Preparedness Council. The YPC supports FEMA’s commitment to involve America’s youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides young people an opportunity to present their perspectives, feedback, and opinions to FEMA staff. During their terms, YPC members can make a difference in their community, gain valuable leadership and emergency management experience, and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. The online application is open from Jan. 24 to March 6. Learn more and apply at ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council.
|
|
|
Deadline approaching for SBA working capital loans due to drought
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small nonfarm businesses in 11 Oregon counties of the Feb. 22 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought that began April 1, 2021. The counties include Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler. 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. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Learn more and apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
|
|
A roundup of this week’s FEMA webinars
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 at WEBINAR: Resolve to be Prepared | 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.
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.
|
|
External career opportunities
For our emergency management partners, if you’re hiring and would like us to amplify your job posting in Weekly Watch, please send all details to public.info@state.or.us.
METRO Senior Housing Communications Specialist: Apply with Metro by Jan. 31. Strategic communications expert, experienced project manager, and skilled storyteller that’s able to see Metro’s big-picture goals and outcomes and plan the individual steps to achieve them, all while coordinating with people across different teams. Full-time position located in Portland.
Douglas County Emergency Services Manager: Apply at Governmentjobs.com. Manage the planning, organizing and directing of Douglas County's emergency preparedness, response and recovery programs related to disasters, catastrophic events, public health emergencies and other community and county-wide crises; serve as county liaison and technical advisor to local, regional, state and federal agencies; and coordinate with the sheriff’s department in the transition of LEA emergency responses to county recovery efforts.
Deputy Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (Operations and Policy Analysist 3): Apply at Workday by Feb. 10. Work closely with the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator and the State Interoperability Executive Council, state and local public safety and emergency management leaders, tribal governments, federal agencies and others to carry out the Oregon Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and play a vital role in supporting emergency communications across the state. Limited duration position: It is the intention to make this position permanent during the next biennium. Applicant information discussion: 10 a.m. on Jan. 31 via Teams.
|
|
OEM career opportunities
OEM 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.
OEM 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.
OEM Legislative Coordinator/Strategic Communications & Partnerships Section Manager (Principal Executive/Manager E): Apply at Workday by Jan. 28. Functions as the legislative coordinator and section manager for the strategic communication and partnership programs in all-hazards mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities. Directly supervises 12 subordinate staff members to develop and manage programs focused on public information and the Emergency Joint Information Center, tribal coordination, office digital platform management, DEI and language access, and public/private partnership programs of OEM. Full-time, limited-duration position located in Salem.
OEM Grant Accountant (Accountant 3): Apply at Workday by Feb. 1. 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.
OEM 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.
|
|
Readiness resources
OEM is pleased to share infographics to help message readiness. Click on the image and save as a picture, then post, share or embed as needed!
|
|
Federal Share of Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon
DR4499—COVID-19: $366,310,409 DR4519—2020 Flooding: $2,591,506 DR4562—2020 Wildfire: $327,417,744 DR4599—2021 Ice Storm: $2,087,097
|
|
|
|
|