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Weekly Watch is a bulletin for emergency managers, partners and stakeholders. If you have topics you'd like considered for a future issue, please email OEM Public Affairs. Content must be received by noon on Friday for the following Monday's report. To update your subscriber preferences or unsubscribe, follow directions at the bottom of this email. |
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Director's Message
This week’s Director’s Message comes from OEM Legislative Director and Strategic Communications & Partnerships Section Manager Sonji A. Moore.
Every Oregonian is feeling the impacts of our changing climate, from record-setting heat to historic drought to whole communities blanketed with thick wildfire smoke. While each of us feels the impact of these disasters, we need to recognize each of us is impacted differently. Although the damage may vary, major disasters are unacceptably alike in that historically underserved and underrepresented populations – which have been consistently subjected to systemic and institutional oppression – often experience the worst outcomes.
As emergency management leaders, it’s our charge to be deliberate and intentional about placing inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) front and center. It’s also our responsibility to ensure policies, programs and practices are put in place and continually assessed to overcome these obstacles.
When we talk about IDEA, what we’re really talking about is humanity. We prioritize these initiatives not out of obligation, but because it’s the right thing to do. We work to address each person based on their lived experience, but we must first acknowledge the centuries-long head start the dominant culture received in this country. We’ve been trying to level the playing field of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ever since. By implementing IDEA principles, we’re giving everyone the opportunity to begin at the same starting point, have access to the same opportunities and receive equitable treatment.
In equity work, it’s okay to prioritize and advocate for communities that have been subjected to vulnerability by systems and Institutions. This is also ensuring diverse, historically disenfranchised populations – more specifically tribal members; Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); women; people with disabilities; older adults; those with functional needs; LGBTQIA+; rural communities; those who are economically vulnerable; people with limited English proficiency; and English learners – have equitable access to services and programs throughout Oregon.
Here at OEM, we continue to build a foundation based on IDEA principles, including:
- Creating new positions like a full-time, dedicated Tribal Liaison and IDEA Coordinator.
- Hiring an outside organization to steward an agency-wide equity assessment of all operations.
- Strengthening partnerships with organizations that champion and also prioritize IDEA efforts.
- Ensuring communication translations and interpretative services.
- Prioritizing plain language and accessible messaging.
We acknowledge we need to do more. OEM will continue to build on these practices as we work to meet every Oregonian where they are – so they can access the services and information they need to make good decisions to protect themselves and their families. This includes embracing and being open to people who are different from us and being willing to listen and learn from those differences. We hope that you, our trusted partners, will join us on this journey to make sure that all Oregonians not only survive, but thrive in times of crisis.
If you’re interested in learning more, OEM is holding several mini-workshops at the 2022 Oregon Emergency Management Association (OEMA) Annual Conference next week. I’ll be personally leading a workshop on our IDEA initiatives and vision. Please stop by from 8-8:30 a.m. on Oct. 7 at the Valley River Inn in Eugene. I look forward to meeting and engaging with you! Take care, stay safe and be well.
Sonji A. Moore, JD, MPA, MAc
OEM Legislative Director | Strategic Communications & Partnerships Section Manager
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New CISA Cybersecurity Grant Program to provide funding for Oregon
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity grant program specifically for state, local and territorial governments. The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) provides $1 billion in funding to partners over four years, with $185 million available for fiscal year 2022, to support efforts to reduce cyber risk and build resilience to the evolving cybersecurity threat environment. CISA will support these efforts with a suite of available resources, including state cybersecurity coordinators and cybersecurity advisors. The first year of the grant will focus on finalizing the state’s cybersecurity plan and program governance structure; the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Cyber Security Services will be the lead agency in this work. OEM will serve as the State Administrative Agency, overseeing the grant, its contracts and agreements, and tracking the financial and programmatic progress. In the coming months, DAS may be soliciting projects that address security gaps identified in cybersecurity plans; more details are still forthcoming. In the meantime, be sure to complete a cybersecurity assessment and start identifying your capability gaps and possible projects to address those gaps. For more information and resources, visit CISA’s webpage.
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EMI’s Virtual Tabletop Exercise Program FY 2023 schedule now available
FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) has released a fiscal year 2023 schedule for its Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) Program. These tabletop exercises are designed for a community-based group rather than individual participation. Each community-based group should consist of at least five or more personnel from appropriate emergency management organizations. Exercises are offered monthly using a virtual platform to reach community-based training audiences around the country. Each tabletop exercise is four hours and allows 10-15 groups of key personnel within an emergency management Community of Practice to connect virtually and discuss a simulated disaster scenario using a pre-packaged set of exercise materials. View the Virtual Tabletop Exercise Program Fiscal Year 2023 schedule for a list of all offerings and information on the application process.
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National Weather Service introduces iNWS alerts
The National Weather Service (NWS) has introduced iNWS to replace its outdated EWARN program for text and email alerts when the NWS issues a watch, warning or advisory. Users can configure their alert preferences geographically and by weather phenomena. iNWS is intended for core partners of the emergency planning and response management community. Register for an account on the NOAA website (because this service is only intended for core partners, an affiliation is required when registering0. The NWS Portland office will host a short 20-30 minute webinar at 1 p.m. on Oct. 3 to assist with setting up iNWS accounts and selecting alerts and areas. Learn more and register at GoToWebinar.
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Alert & Warning Community of Practice webinar
FEMA's third semi-annual Alert and Warning Community of Practice Webinar will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 25. Guest speakers include L. Vance Taylor from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, who will present on California's accessibility initiatives; and Cara Berkey from New York City's Office of Emergency Management, who will present on New York City's WEA Wednesday program. Register via Eventbrite.
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Red Cross Home Fire Campaign
The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is an ongoing program that helps educate households about home fire safety as well as installing smoke alarms free of cost. Visit the Red Cross website to learn more about how to prepare for a home fire and how to get involved to make households safer.
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AmeriCorps State and National Native Nations Grants and Planning Competition
AmeriCorps has announced the 2023 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nations Grants and Planning Competition. Through the 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity, AmeriCorps is prioritizing the investment of national service resources into disaster services like COVID-19 response, economic opportunities, education, traditional ecological knowledge, indigenous language, civic and social engagement, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. Opportunities include three-year operating grants that engage AmeriCorps members in time-limited-service commitments and one-year planning grants to develop programs that implement evidence-based solutions to community needs. The application deadline is April 5, 2023. Learn more about the grant criteria, technical assistance opportunities, and how to submit an application at Americorps’ website.
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Climate Resilience for Communities of Color webinar
Threat Hazard Risk Identification Assessment and Stakeholder Preparedness Review Capability Assessment
FEMA’s annual Threat Hazard Risk Identification Assessment and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (THIRA SPR) Capability Assessment survey will be open Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, assessing 28 core capabilities with 33 target areas. OEM has transitioned to the new Qualtrics platform to provide a better survey experience and allow for improved data analysis. The platform includes a dashboard collecting data in real-time and performing programmed data analysis for both quantitative and qualitative data. Following the closure of the survey period, the dashboard will be used to report to FEMA collaborative capability information for 2022 in the federal THIRA SPR Universal Reporting Tool; it will then be shared with partners to utilize for future preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery planning. Answers from the 2021 Capability Assessment will be pre-populated in this year’s survey to assist with updating responses. Each jurisdiction’s point of contact will receive an e-mail outlining what to expect for the assessment platform, along with FAQs and a unique survey link specific to the jurisdiction. Please send any questions to OEM Emergency Preparedness Planner Sarah Puls at sarah.puls@oem.oregon.gov.
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OHA Public Health Division Advisory and Decision-Making Committees
Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool
FEMA is hosting an overview and live demonstration of its recently updated Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT), which includes the most recent community resilience indicator data from the American Community Survey; updated hazard and infrastructure layers; and improved analysis tools. The live overview and demonstration will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Sept. 28 and will focus on the basic functionality of the new data layers and tools in RAPT. Participants will also hear from RAPT users about how they use the tool. Learn more and register for the event with FEMA.
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Preventing targeted violence and terrorism in the community
The Community Awareness Briefing (CAB) is a training that provides communities with information and tools to assist them with understanding the issues and learning more about how they can prevent targeted violence and terrorism within their communities. Family, friends and colleagues are often the first to see behavioral changes in individuals -- knowing what to look for and how to reach out for help are critical to preventing targeted violence and terrorism. The no-cost virtual event will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6. Learn more and register at Eventbrite.
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DOGAMI releases new tsunami evacuation brochures
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) has released 27 new "Beat the Wave" tsunami evacuation brochures for Clatsop, Coos and Curry counties, showing evacuation routes and recommended evacuation speeds for a tsunami generated on the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The new brochures follow the previous release in 2019 of brochures for Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane and Douglas counties. DOGAMI has also released 59 higher resolution neighborhood-scale tsunami evacuation brochures for Clatsop and Lincoln counties focusing on close-up views of coastal communities and providing more details for easier identification of evacuation routes. Download the Beat the Wave brochures and the detailed neighborhood-specific maps from DOGAMI's online resource library.
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Information Technology Service Unit Leader course
The Statewide Interoperability Program, in cooperation with CISA, will host an All-Hazards Information Technology Service Unit Leader (ITSL) course Oct. 17-20 in Salem. The ITSL course is designed to help IT professionals integrate into the Incident Command System (ICS) structure during major emergencies, disasters and planned events. The course will provide an in-depth overview of responsibilities and include exercises for the ITSL’s major functions to ensure reliable and timely delivery of IT services to participating agencies and officials during a multi-agency response. Class size is limited and participants must have a sponsoring public safety, emergency management, government or disaster response organization. Learn more and register at Oregon.gov by Oct. 3.
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Emergency Management Job Postings |
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Training Opportunities and Resources |
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Total Federal Share of Public Assistance Disaster Funds Obligated to be Spent in Oregon
DR4499—COVID-19: $594,872,662 DR4519—2020 Flooding: $4,045,407 DR4562—2020 Wildfire: $399,895,398 DR4599—2021 Ice Storm: $14,891,015
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