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Director's Message
Spring – and spring break – have officially arrived in Oregon. While springtime in our state offers beautiful scenery to explore, it can also be dangerous. Camping, hiking, boating and other recreation adventures can result in Search and Rescue operations to find and assist those who have become lost or injured.
On average, more than 1,000 SAR missions are conducted each year in our state. One staggering fact is that 99% of people needing SAR assistance lived outside the county where they were rescued. Lack of preparedness is often the common denominator. People need to know their physical limits and plan for activities that won’t exceed their experience.
Our office is currently running a “Know Before You Go” campaign on Facebook and Twitter encouraging spring breakers and outdoor enthusiasts to keep themselves and their loved ones safe with advanced planning and preparation. We hope you’ll amplify our messages, which include the following tips:
- Look up the destination and get familiar with the area.
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Check weather conditions.
- Download maps to a cell phone or print them in case there is no cell service.
- Check com or call 511 for road conditions.
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Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones.
- Check Oregon’s Recreation Site Status Map before traveling to confirm the destination is open.
- Bring clothing layers and footwear appropriate for the weather and terrain.
- Pack the proper equipment and extra food, water and supplies.
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Have an emergency kit and cell phone charger in the vehicle.
- Travel with a companion.
- Share travel plans with someone, including the destination and estimated return.
This week’s predicted warmer temperatures will likely send many travelers to Oregon’s beaches, lakes and rivers where the water is still cold — usually around 50 degrees. Anyone near the water should always wear a life jacket; the public can check the Oregon State Marine Board’s map of life jacket loaner stations to borrow for the day. Life jackets greatly reduce the risk of drowning due to cold water shock.
We want everyone, including Oregonians and visitors, to get outside and discover all our state has to offer this spring – let’s work together to make sure they do so safely to avoid becoming a search and rescue statistic.
Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management
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FEMA Announces 90/10 Cost Share Adjustments
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has announced that additional disaster funding is available to all states, tribal nations and territories with Presidential major disaster and emergency declarations occurring in 2020 and 2021. Signed into law last week, H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 grants a minimum 90% federal cost share for any emergency or major disaster declaration declared from or having an incident period beginning between, Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021. Specifically, the law authorizes an increase to the standard 75% federal cost share to at least 90% for Public Assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and specified Individual Assistance programs authorized under emergency and major disaster declarations. While this should include Oregon DR4519 (2020 Flood), DR4562 (2020 Wildfires) and DR4599 (2021 Ice Storm), OEM is awaiting further guidance from FEMA and will keep partners updated as more information becomes available.
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Oregon Office of Emergency Management Annual OEM Recognitions and Awards
The Office of Emergency Management recently presented the 2nd Annual OEM Recognition and Awards. These peer-nominated awards allow OEM staff to recognize the outstanding achievements of their colleagues during the previous year in five nomination categories. Additionally, Director’s Awards are presented, at the discretion of the director, to OEM employees who have had a unique, profound and lasting impact on the work of OEM, and who uphold the agency’s values and work to advance its mission. Congratulations to all this year’s well-deserved recipients!
Advocacy Award - Anna Feigum, State Hazard Mitigation Officer Presented to the OEM employee who best demonstrates an understanding of the perspectives of our team, our partners and those we serve and who supports efforts to advance our shared interests.
Collaboration Award - Michael Warren, 9-1-1 Technical Services Coordinator Presented to the OEM employee who best demonstrates the development and preservation of sincere, communicative and supportive partnerships that encourage trust and make us better than we are on our own.
Innovation Award – Bobbi Doan, Public Affairs Director Presented to the OEM employee who best demonstrates the ability to challenge current practices and to seek out and leverage new opportunities that improve our ability to serve.
Leadership Award - Stephen Richardson, Mitigation Section Manager Presented to the OEM employee who best demonstrates the ability to lead our emergency management and 9-1-1 communities with integrity, respect, courage and accountability, and to foster the development of leaders within our organization.
Rookies of the Year - Jacque Kienholz, PA Accountant; and Tim Seymour, Eastern Regional Coordinator Presented to the OEM employees who joined our team within the previous calendar year and have embraced our mission and had an immediate positive impact on our office and partners.
Directors Awards were presented to Chris Sutton, Cascades Regional Coordinator; Nicole Hanson, Program Accountant; Scott Lucas, Search and Rescue Coordinator; and Matt Marheine, Deputy Director.
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Reducing Wildfire Smoke in Communities
Rick Graw, Air Quality Program Manager for the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, delivered a presentation on March 14 about meteorological and land management influences on wildfire smoke. For those who missed it, the presentation is now available on YouTube. Graw presents an analysis of the frequent air pathways that bring wildfire smoke into individual communities in Southern Oregon and Northern California. He also shares a case study that demonstrates how much wildfire smoke could be reduced into a community through fuel treatments within a frequent air pathway.
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CISA K-12 School Security Guide – 3rd Edition
School communities increasingly contend with an evolving and unique set of threats, hazards and security challenges, including violence and crime-related incidents. Schools often face these threats with limited resources and experts. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Infrastructure Security Division’s School Safety Task Force has developed the 3rd edition of the CISA K-12 School Security Guide. Developed in consultation with subject matter experts and members of the school safety community, the guide outlines action-oriented security practices and options for consideration across the K-12 school community. Designed to be used in conjunction with the companion School Security Assessment Tool, this guide demonstrates how taking a systems-based approach to school physical security planning can help schools create safe and secure learning environments – without requiring school staff to become security experts or compromising the broader educational mission.
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Alaska Emergency Management Conference Welcomes Oregon Emergency Managers Virtually
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) is hosting its annual Emergency Management Conference April 19-20. The conference provides a forum for emergency managers from across the state and stakeholder agencies to share best practices, lessons learned and discuss emerging trends in emergency management. Emergency managers and partners agencies in Oregon are welcome to attend virtually. Register at 2022 Emergency Management Conference.
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Take PART Event Discusses Anti-Racism by Intention
Take PART (Portland Anti-Racism Team) confronts racism and engages in dismantling the systems that continue racial inequality. It accomplishes this through events, education and outreach that foster engagement in building an inclusive community where all people are treated with dignity and respect. A recent webinar featured Pastor Cliff Chappell shedding light on "the dark side of racism" and addressing how we can all become intentionally anti-racist, with the goal of deconstructing and eliminating the structures of racism embedded in our society. The discussion has been posted on Take PART's YouTube Channel. For information on Take PART and to join future events, visit takepartpdx.org.
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EPA Telecommunications During Power Outage Webinar Series
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a Water Sector Guide to Telecommunications During Power Outages (to be published this spring) to help water utilities diversify their telecommunications plans and equipment and help ensure they can continue to communicate with employees, response partners and customers during a prolonged power outage. The agency is hosting a two-part webinar series to provide an overview of some of the technologies, best practices, programs and services water utilities can use to ensure continuity of communications. Click here for more information and to register.
- Communicating During Power Outages: 10-11 a.m., April 6
- Telecommunications Resources and Services: 10-11 a.m., May 4
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OSFM Webinar: Fire Prevention for People with Sensory Processing Disorders
The Oregon Fire Prevention Workshop Committee is hosting a discussion about fire prevention and safety techniques for people who have sensory processing disorders from 1-2 p.m. on March 23. Click here to register.
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National Forum on Earthquake Insurance
Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) and Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), are hosting a free hybrid forum from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on March 28 to delve into the issues surrounding earthquake insurance and its use and potential as a tool for preparedness and recovery after an earthquake. This one-day event allows state emergency managers and insurance professionals to take a closer look at earthquake insurance, exploring its potential as a resilience tool and examining equity concerns and other challenges that have so far limited its role in financial preparedness. The forum will also present research and messaging tools that participants can use in their earthquake education and outreach programs. Check out the Mind the Gap event information page to see the agenda and list of speakers, and click here to register.
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TriMet Plans MAX Red Line Disruption April 2-9
An eight-day disruption to Portland's MAX Red Line service will take place from April 2-9, with shuttle buses replacing trains between the Gateway/NE 99th Ave. Transit Center and Portland International Airport. Although no Red Line trains will be running during the disruption, riders will be able to use MAX Blue and Green line trains to connect with shuttle buses at the Gateway Transit Center and use Blue Line trains on the westside. TriMet is suggesting that Red Line riders plan ahead and allow for an extra 30 minutes for their trips. Click here to learn more.
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FEMA Hosts Benefit-Cost Analysis 101 Webinar
FEMA is hosting a Benefit-Cost Analysis 101 webinar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 31. The webinar will feature an overview of the fundamental concepts of Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) and specific instructions on completing a BCA – an HMGP application requirement – using the FEMA BCA Toolkit. Click here to register.
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Career Opportunities in Emergency Management
FEMA: Tribal Relations Specialist, Bothell, Wash. Apply at USAjobs.gov by March 22.
OEM: Grant Accountant (Accountant 2) - 2 POSITIONS. Apply at Workday by March 23.
FEMA: Tribal Relations Specialist, Anchorage, Alaska. Apply at USAjobs.gov by March 24.
OEM: Exercise Officer (Program Analyst 2). Apply at Workday by March 24.
RDPO: Senior Planning (Coordinator III). Apply at governmentjobs.com by March 28.
ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management: Deputy Policy and Mission Support Chief (Operations and Policy Analyst 4). Apply at Workday by March 28.
OEM: 9-1-1 Program Analyst (Information Systems Specialist 5). Apply at Workday by March 30.
OEM: 9-1-1 GIS Database Analyst (Information Systems Specialist 3). Apply at Workday by March 31.
Multnomah County: Emergency Management Planner. Apply at Workday by March 31.
OEM: Regional Mitigation & Recovery Coordinator (Program Analyst 3) – Douglas County. Apply at Workday by April 5. Conference call held from 2-3 p.m. on March 25 via Zoom to discuss position.
OEM: Regional Mitigation & Recovery Coordinator (Program Analyst 3) – Clatsop County. Apply at Workday by April 5. Conference call held from 2-3 p.m. on March 25 via Zoom to discuss position.
OEM: Regional Mitigation & Recovery Coordinator (Program Analyst 3) – Umatilla County. Apply at Workday by April 5. Conference call held from 2-3 p.m. on March 25 via Zoom to discuss position.
Douglas County: Emergency Services Manager. Apply at governmentjobs.com (no closing date).
Readiness Resources
OEM has produced several graphics to help message preparedness. Click on the image and save as a picture, then post, share or embed as needed! You can find additional images on OEM's Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Total Federal Share of Public Assistance Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon
DR4499—COVID-19: $375,228,362 DR4519—2020 Flooding: $2,751,834 DR4562—2020 Wildfire: $356,514,609 DR4599—2021 Ice Storm: $5,692,689
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