June is Pride Month, commemorating and celebrating LGBTQ activism and culture through the years. At least 20 million individuals in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ—an entire demographic that is largely ignored within disaster and response policies.

Stigma, violence, poverty and discrimination against those identifying as LGBTQ have created social disparities that are further intensified when disaster strikes. Additionally, bias in federal disaster response programs, high rates of homelessness, lack of recognition of LGBTQ families in evacuation and shelter procedures, and the prevalence of faith-based organizations in disaster relief services all heighten the risks these communities face.

OEM has a responsibility to ensure every Oregonian has access to critical life safety services and resources. There is much to learn in the vast arena of disproportionality, and it all starts with data—it is incumbent upon us all to continue to take the necessary steps to understand the challenges faced by our LGBTQ communities to better meet their needs and build a more inclusive risk reduction system.

OEM is uniquely positioned to support Oregon’s diverse communities before, during and after disasters while advocating for improved, more equitable outcomes from the federal programs we manage. We are observing Pride Month by committing to involve the voices of LGBTQ Oregonians as we develop and refine our disaster planning and relief programs, policies and priorities. Oregon embraces diversity and individuality as a state; emergency management must do so as well.

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

FEMA’s Third Thursday Tips webinar for June will focus on preparedness for safe outdoor recreation. Led by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management and Oregon State Parks, the webinar will take place from noon-12:15 p.m. on June 16 and cover how to safely recreate in nature, including first aid preparedness, potential fire hazards and what sustainable outdoorsmanship looks like. Register with FEMA.

Boise State University researchers studying earthquake risk education have been working with Oregon community partners to develop an earthquake preparedness workshop with and for Spanish speaking communities. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the workshop will cover how to ensure safety and protect loved ones during and after an earthquake. There are six opportunities to attend the workshop; the first (June 7) presented in English and the remaining five (June 11, 16, 20 and July 5) in Spanish. Families with kids are welcome to attend. Space is limited; see dates, times and locations and sign up at Google Forms.

In times of disaster,  individuals and families need to have a plan for where they and their animals can safely go in case of evacuation and what to do if they must shelter in place. This is especially significant for service animals and their handlers. Emergency management professionals and service animals share the same goals in a disaster—to provide lifesaving and stabilizing support to a person with a disability and ensure their successful recovery. Learn more about the roles that service animals take in disasters in How Service Animals Empower People With Disabilities in Disasters. To learn more about pet preparedness, watch Region 10's webinar series on Animals and Disasters on the R10 Individual and Community Preparedness Dashboard.

Oregon Health Authority and the University of Oregon partnered to conduct a survey-based evaluation of wildfire smoke communications and impacts experienced by Oregon residents during the 2020 wildfire season. They have released a new report with their findings titled, Oregon Wildfire Smoke Communication and Impacts: An Evaluation of the 2020 Wildfire Season. The evaluation is intended to guide improvement of public risk communication, programs and recommendations. Read the results to better understand how Oregonians respond to wildfire smoke.

In light of recent targeted shootings at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, a church in Laguna Woods, California, and a school in Uvalde, Texas, the Joint Regional Intelligence Center has issued a community reference aid with resources that can help communities as they seek to enhance facility security through self-assessments and grants; recognize and report indicators of individuals who may be on a pathway to commit targeted violence; and access services and training offered by behavioral risk assessment teams and agencies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking for proposals for the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership to improve forest health on public and private lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Forest Service are seeking the proposals from partners by Aug. 5, 2022, for fiscal year 2023. The partnership is part of a broader effort to reduce wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species. Fiscal year 2023 projects will build on the fiscal year 2022 investment of more than $48 million on projects that will mitigate wildfire risk, protect water quality, improve wildlife habitat, restore forest ecosystems and ultimately contribute to USDA’s efforts to combat climate change. Landowners should contact their local NRCS and Forest Service office for more information. 

The State Training Program is actively looking for individuals across the state interested in becoming approved instructors in their respective areas of expertise. Instructors must have attended the course that they will be instructing. To see the full list of courses needing instructors and learn more, fill out this Office Form.