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Feb. 28, 2022

Director's Message

Last week, President Biden appointed Willie Nunn as the new FEMA Region 10 Administrator, overseeing the four-state region that includes Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho; he was sworn in today by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. Nunn has been with FEMA since 2007 and is an outstanding and inspiring leader. A Type 1 Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), Nunn serves as the representative of the president, the Secretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security, and FEMA during major disaster and emergency declarations. He also serves as an FCO1 Field Leader Supervisor for FEMA Regions 2, 8, 8 and 10.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nunn on a number of disasters and he has been an incredible partner to Oregon supporting our state and designated FCOs. Prior to joining FEMA, Colonel Nunn completed a United States Air Force career with over 26 years on active duty. His assignments included two command tours and two combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. As a Master Air Battle Manager, he has over 2,900 flight hours on board AWACS and JSTARS with 201 flight hours in combat.   Nunn’s appointment means strong, capable leadership for Oregon and Region 10, which will help provide our local communities with resources they need. Our congratulations to Nunn, and we look forward to meeting with him on his next visit to our state.  Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management

OSFM offers virtual listening and understanding sessions 

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is hosting two virtual listening and understanding sessions in March to help inform the strategic investment of two new funding opportunities for Oregon communities with wildfire preparedness and response. The discussions and resulting outcomes from these sessions will ensure OSFM focuses efforts where communities best need investments from the specific funding.

• Community Risk Reduction Funding: Listening and Understanding Session (reviewing the funding provided through Senate Bill 762 as it relates specifically to Community Risk Reduction): 1:30-3:30 p.m. on March 1. Register via eventbrite.com.
• Response Ready Oregon Funding: Listening and Understanding Session (explaining the funding provided through Senate Bill 762, which is specifically for wildfire response facilitated through OSFM): 1:30-3:30 p.m. on March 8. Register via eventbrite.com.

AmeriCorps is recruiting for positions in Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project aims to alleviate, prevent and reduce poverty by engaging new public health professionals in a year of full-time service in major public health organizations to create or expand public health systems capacity. AmeriCorps is recruiting for several positions in Oregon for its April 2022 cohort that are focused on disaster and emergency preparedness and recovery. Click here to view AmeriCorps VISTA positions by region.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cyber risk mitigation resources

Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine has been accompanied by cyber-attacks on Ukrainian government and critical infrastructure organizations, which may have consequences for our own critical infrastructure. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers a number of links for controls and other best practices in cyber risk mitigation:

• Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Critical Infrastructure provides critical infrastructure owners and operators with guidance on how identify and mitigate the risks of influence operations using mis-, dis- and malinformation narratives.  
• Shields Up consolidates CISA’s published resources on cyber threats related to the current geopolitical tensions. It is designed to help critical infrastructure owners and operators mitigate possible cyber threats and strengthen their cybersecurity posture.  
• Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Target Cleared Defense Contractor Networks to Obtain Sensitive U.S. Defense Information and Technology is an advisory about Russian state-sponsored cyber actors targeting cleared defense contractors in the United States; includes detection and mitigation recommendations to reduce the risk of data exfiltration.  
• CISA Insights: Implement Cybersecurity Measures Now to Protect Against Potential Critical Threats recommends urgent, near-term steps to reduce the likelihood and impact of a potentially damaging compromise.  
• Understanding and Mitigating Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Threats to U.S. Critical Infrastructure is an advisory about the Russian threat to critical infrastructure, including specific tactics, techniques and procedures associated with Russian actors. 
• CISA offers no-cost Cyber Hygiene services, including vulnerability scanning, web application scanning, phishing campaign assessments and remote penetration tests.  

Fiscal Year 2022 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Technical Assistance Webinar Series 

FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) invites faith-based, community, and nonprofit organizations to participate in upcoming webinars regarding the fiscal year 2022 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The NSGP provides funding support through a competitive process for facility hardening and other security enhancements to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack and promotes emergency preparedness coordination and collaboration between public and private community representatives, as well as state, local, tribal and territorial governments. The GDP is offering informational NSGP webinars weekly through April 1 for all nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the program, priorities, eligibility and application process. Visit FEMA.gov for more information and to register.

National CERT Conference registration now open

The 2022 National CERT Conference Theme is Taking CERT to the Next Level and will feature presentations and workshops led by CERT leaders across the U.S. Agenda highlights include an Equity Panel, presentations on CERT Resource Typing, and CERT Disaster Response lessons learned (including COVID-19). For more information and to register, click here: 2022 National CERT Association Conference. 

FEMA Guide for Alerts and Warnings 

The FEMA Guide for Alerts and Warnings features 17 hazards and explains what actions to take at every step. The booklet offers a magnetic strip, perfect to hang up on the fridge and small enough to put in a glove compartment or bag. Visit FEMA.gov to download or order a printed copy.

National Weather Service adds Local Standard Radar  

The National Weather Service has added Local Standard Radar as an option under its radar menu. Local Standard Radar provides low bandwidth users a reliable and fast-loading website for radar images, radar loops and warning polygons that may be in effect (Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, and Special Marine Warnings). The new site offers reflectivity only and defaults to the most recent loop (10 frames; last 45 minutes) from any individual WSR-88D radar site. Radar loops and images are automatically updated every five minutes. There are also Regional and National low-bandwidth basic options available. This Public Information Statement offers additional information. 

COVID-19 update

Oregon will lift mask requirements for indoor public places and Oregon’s schools on March 11 as hospitalizations drop and are projected to reach levels below those at the start of the Omicron surge. Other state and federal requirements, such as those for health care settings, public transit  and other specialized settings, will remain in place for a period of time. Over the past two weeks, hospitalizations have fallen by an average of more than 30 a day. Reported COVID-19 infections also have dropped precipitously in recent weeks; over the past month, new infections have declined by more than 80%. State officials highly recommend that people in high-risk groups continue to wear masks in indoor public settings even after the restrictions are lifted. 

Financial assistance available for conservation programs 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon has made financial assistance available to eligible partners and landowners across several conservation programs. Applicants should apply by March 18 to be considered in this current round of funding for the following programs:

• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): Harnesses partnerships to stretch and multiply conservation investments to achieve large-scale conservation goals across a region, landscape or watershed. There are currently three RCPP projects open to applications. Learn more about the projects and program eligibility on the Oregon RCPP webpage. 
• Agricultural Land Easements (ALE): A voluntary program that provides an opportunity for eligible partners to receive financial assistance to purchase agricultural land easements targeted at working agricultural lands. Learn more at nrcs.usda.gov.
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): Helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address resources concerns on the agricultural operation. Learn more at nrcs.usda.gov.

Deadline approaching for SBA working capital loans due to drought   

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small nonfarm businesses in Hood River, Clackamas, Multnomah and Wasco counties of the March 14 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan to offset economic losses caused by drought that began July 6, 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. Apply at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

Training opportunities

FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of 1-hour trainings on the federal procurement rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients when purchasing in support of a FEMA grant award or declaration. These virtual trainings will be facilitated by GPD’s Procurement Disaster Assistance Team and will be offered on most Wednesdays now through June. The trainings cover a variety of procurement under grant concepts and frequent compliance issues and will highlight a variety of resources, including the recently published PDAT Field Manual. Learn more and register at FEMA.gov. Topics include: 

• Standard Procurement Under Grant (PUG) Training, an overview of the federal procurement under grant rules for recipients and subrecipients when purchasing under a FEMA grant. 
• Top 10 Procurement Under Grant Mistakes, introduces the 10 most frequent procurement noncompliance issues and lists available resources to help avoid these mistakes. 
• Exigency or Emergency Training, educates recipients and subrecipients on the federal procurement rules applicable when purchasing during exigency or emergency circumstances. 
• Prepare Before a Disaster, contracting actions recipients and subrecipients can take to prepare before a disaster strikes and addressing the procurement rules applicable during these times.

AWR-328 All Hazards Preparedness for Animals in Disasters (Lincoln City). 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 7. Click here to register.

MGT-448 All Hazards Planning for Animal, Agricultural, and Food-Related Disaster (Lincoln City). 
8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 8. Click here to register. 

FEMA CIT/CITAP: Planning Your After-Action Webinar. 10-11 a.m. on March 9. Click here to register.

Virtual Disaster Workshop for CERT. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 22, 24, 29 and 31. This free workshop will provide training on using CERT volunteers to support a disaster response. Each day has a separate registration link. Click here to register.

FEMA’s Continuous Improvement Technical Assistance Program: Rapid Improvement Webinar.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 13. This 3-hour webinar will provide members of the whole emergency management community with a framework to facilitate rapid improvements and corrective actions during or after an incident. Click here to register.

OHA Health Security, Preparedness, and Response (HSPR) program, in partnership with Clackamas Community College, is offering the following two free courses:
ICS-400: Advanced ICS Command and General Staff-Complex Incidents: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Apr. 26-27 and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 17-18. Click here to register.
ICS-300:  Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May. 3-5 and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Jun. 7-9. Click here to register.

DHS/ FEMA is offering PER 404: Logistics and Supply Chain Resilience in Disasters, a practical approach to develop rapidly collaborative public and private solutions to restore pre-existing supply chains that provide critical supplies to survivors during a disaster. The 16-hour course includes a series of disaster simulations with participants racing against time to keep supplies moving while confronting challenges common to disasters. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., May 23-26. Click here to register by May 9.

Career Opportunities in emergency management

OEM Digital Platform Coordinator (Information Systems Specialist 5): Apply at Workday by March 7. Provides development and support to OEM IS staff, department program staff, and other community partners and agencies conducting comprehensive analysis, planning, development, implementation and coordination for the operation, maintenance, installation and construction of websites, web applications and social media platforms. Full-time, permanent position in Salem.

Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO) Managing Director: Apply at governmentjobs by March 7. Provides an extraordinary opportunity to effectively lead disaster preparedness efforts in our region. This position will lead the update and implementation of a multi-year strategic plan, direct and cultivate a talented team of RDPO staff, and work to advance collaborative partnerships between a diverse group of member organizations and multi-disciplinary stakeholder groups. Full-time position in Portland. 

OEM Procurement & Contract Specialist 2: Apply at Workday by March 17. Performs public purchasing and contracting duties to procure goods and services and prepare and track contracts and agreements using the full range of purchasing and contracting methods and supporting central agency activities. This position develops, negotiates, and administers contracts, agreements, and leases with government agencies and the public to obtain and provide goods and trades/ professional services. Full-time, permanent position in Salem.

Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD) Emergency Planner & Project Manager (Project Manager II): Apply at MCDD by March 18. Manage projects and coordinate efforts to prepare for, respond to and recover from flood emergencies and other regional disasters affecting the districts’ flood infrastructure and services. The selected candidate will be required to serve as a member of the Command and General staff within MCDD’s Incident Command System (ICS) during emergency activations. Full-time position in Portland. 

OEM Grant Accountant (Accountant 2) - 2 POSITIONS: apply at Workday by March 23. Collaborate with the Mitigation Accountant and Public Assistance Accountant to administer and coordinate financial services relating to FEMA Grants to ensure accurate and proper use of federal, general and other funds OEM receives. Additionally, the Grants Accountant answers inquiries during audits and prepares corrective actions to any audit findings. Full-time, limited duration position in Salem.

Total Federal Share of Public Assistance
Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon

DR4499—COVID-19: $366,503,722
DR4519—2020 Flooding: $2,751,834
DR4562—2020 Wildfire: $356,102,546
DR4599—2021 Ice Storm: $5,347,313

For questions, contact OEM Public Affairs at public.info@state.or.us.