As part of our transition to a new department, OEM is reviewing and updating our Emergency Operations Plan addressing how the state will respond to emergencies and disasters that require response beyond local or tribal jurisdictions. As part of this update, we’ve added a section on Community Lifelines – services that enable the continuous operation of critical government and business functions and are essential to human health and safety or economic security.

Lifelines are the most fundamental services in the community that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function. During blue sky days, lifeline services are provided by public, private and nonprofit entities within a community. They include a range of critical day-to-day services that communities rely on to protect life and property. During a response, lifelines ensure the delivery of critical services that alleviate immediate threats to life and property when communities are impacted by emergencies. 

Our updated EOP identifies the seven Community Lifelines – Safety and Security; Food, Water and Shelter; Health and Medical; Energy; Communications; Transportation; and Hazardous Materials – and outlines the multiple components and subcomponents that make up each lifeline. 

Response activities organized around these community lifelines allow local, state, tribal and federal emergency managers, along with private sector and nongovernmental partners, to better align, sequence and prioritize limited public and private sector resources. Lifelines and associated essential elements of information also help with maintaining situational awareness and a common operating picture. And while lifelines were developed to support response planning and operations, the concept can be applied across the entire preparedness cycle. Efforts to protect lifelines, prevent and mitigate potential impacts to them, and build back stronger and smarter will improve outcomes for communities in Oregon following any emergency or disaster.

Take care of yourselves and take care of each other.
Andrew Phelps, Director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management

The Blue River community, devastated by the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020, is one of seven communities nationwide to have received a $300,000 Project OVERCOME grant to provide affordable broadband access to underserved communities. When fire tore through the McKenzie River Valley, it destroyed fiber optic cables and other infrastructure. Project OVERCOME partners, including Onward Eugene (Managing Director Matt Sayre pictured at right) and Elevate Technology Group, have constructed a 60-foot solar-powered communications tower above the community that brings a permanent wireless internet backhaul infrastructure into the region. The tower anchors a new cellular network that is providing internet services to the surrounding community; these services are being piloted by McKenzie School District students and families using free Wi-Fi hotspots. Read more about the project at Benton.org.

The Oregon Department of Energy has officially launched its Energy Efficient Wildfire Recovery Incentive program with $10 million available to support Oregonians who lost their homes or businesses during the 2020 wildfires. As Oregonians rebuild, the agency will offer financial support to improve energy efficiency to make rebuilt homes and businesses more comfortable and provide long-term energy savings. Incentive amounts range from $3,000 up to $18,000, depending on the building type and the level of efficiency in rebuilding. Incentives are available for Oregonians who have already rebuilt, are currently rebuilding, or are planning to rebuild a structure that was lost in the wildfires between August 1 and September 30, 2020. ODOE staff are available to answer questions about the program and help survivors navigate the applications. Learn more and apply at ODOE's website.

CONVERGE, the nation’s first social science-led component of the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure, has released the CONVERGE Public Health Implications of Hazards and Disaster Research Training Module. CONVERGE will hold a demonstration webinar featuring the module from 12:30-1 p.m. on April 29. Developed with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Science Foundation, the training module offers original content and case studies to illustrate the relationship between public health and hazards and disaster research, as well as how this type of research can help improve the health of disaster-affected people and communities. Learn more and register for the webinar on the CONVERGE website.

Inclusive Emergency Management Community is a newly founded, free online platform that brings together emergency management professionals and community stakeholders who are currently working in or interested in inclusive emergency management. The community provides a space for those in emergency management to discuss and share inclusive and accessible issues, resources, webinars and more. There is no cost to join, and members have access to a variety of tools and numerous experts to make inclusive emergency management more collaborative. Learn more at the Inclusive Emergency Management Community website.

Watershed programs help communities rebuild after disasters and prepare for future events. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an investment of $2,770,095 in three Oregon watershed infrastructure projects to benefit rural and historically underserved communities. Projects include the East Fork Irrigation District Irrigation Modernization Project, the Tumalo Irrigation District Modernization Project and the Owyhee Irrigation District Modernization Project. A full list of projects is available on NRCS’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law webpage. NRCS encourages communities to engage with their local project sponsors, participate in developing a sound conservation plan that serves to protect and preserve local watersheds. Connect with the local NRCS office to learn more about Watershed Program assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small nonfarm businesses in seven Oregon counties of the May 20 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 July 27, 2021, in Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties.

Meanwhile, small nonfarm businesses in 18 Oregon counties are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought that began April 15, 2022.  Counties include Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Linn, Marion, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at the SBA's website.

With the adjustments of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) COVID case count tracking and the discontinuation of the Governor’s emergency declaration for COVID, the Office of Emergency Management is retiring all COVID-related mapping and dashboard products effective April 29. COVID case data will continue to be tracked by OHA on its website.