A state of emergency, Black History Month & EM resources

On Jan. 10, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency (EO 23-02) and signed two additional executive orders focused on state agencies (EO 23-03) and housing production (EO 23-04). The Governor’s Recommended Budget proposes a $130 million early investment package to support the emergency response and provide statewide assistance to prevent homelessness. This mission-focused budget expands on the investments in this early investment proposal to ensure that every community in the state has resources to reduce unsheltered homelessness during the 23/25 biennium. OEM is privileged to be working closely with our partners at Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to collectively respond to this emergency. Our agencies are collectively establishing an integrated structure and working with local communities to develop plans that combine emergency management with best practices for housing our neighbors in need. Please visit our website to stay up to date.

This month, we also recognize Black History Month, a time to focus on and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans past and present. Reflecting and learning from history allows us to move forward and be inspired to honor and fulfill the legacy of those whose accomplishments have been minimized and sometimes ignored. This year's theme, chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is Black Resistance. From the 1774 Revolution to the Civil Rights Era, Black Americans have engaged in organized dissent to create a better world. The Nat Turner rebellion, the Underground Railroad, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Selma to Montgomery March and the Black Lives Matter movement are just a few examples of Black Resistance that have led to social change. 

These strategies have served as a model for other social movements in our country, and our nation has benefitted from those efforts by progressing toward a more equitable society -- even though we still have a ways to go. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to more fully understand and value the role that Black Americans hold in our nation’s past and present, enabling us to work toward creating a more caring, respectful, empathetic and inclusive future.

All the best,

Matt Garrett, OEM Interim Director

The FY23 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) will provide $1.12 billion in funding support to state, local and territorial governments for security-related activities to prevent, prepare for, protect against and respond to terrorist attacks. FEMA is inviting all potential HSGP applicants and sub-applicants to participate in one or more upcoming technical assistance webinars regarding the six National Priority Areas associated with the FY23 HSGP

• Feb. 9: 11 a.m.-noon – Intelligence and Information Sharing and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities
• Feb. 14: 11 a.m.-noon – Community Preparedness & Resilience
• Feb. 16: 11 a.m.- noon – Domestic Violent Extremism
• Feb. 21: 11 a.m.-noon – Election Security
• Feb. 23: 11 a.m.-noon – Soft Targets & Crowded Places

Additional program information is located at FEMA.gov.

Eligible nonprofit partners can apply for FEMA’s FY23 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which funds nonprofit organizations to address threats from terrorist attacks or other domestic extremist groups. This can be accomplished through physical security encasements (soft target hardening), trainings, exercises, and formal planning to protect the non-profit organization’s members, buildings and campuses. Eligible nonprofits seeking NSGP funds must pre-register through OEM by March 1 at 10 p.m. and complete a risk assessment. Non-profits do not apply to FEMA but through the state. Learn more here.

FEMA is offering informational NSGP webinars for all nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the FY23 NSGP priorities, eligibility and application process. Applicants should review the existing NSGP resources available prior to the webinar. All sessions will be the same and will cover a program overview; key changes from FY22 to FY23; application process overview; key tools and resources; and offer time for questions and answers.

• Feb. 16: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• March 3: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• March 8: Noon to 2 p.m.
• March 30: Noon-2 p.m.
• April 4: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• April 25: Noon-2 p.m.
• May 4: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Visit FEMA.gov for additional information related to the NSGP. The vulnerability self-assessment tool, as well as other helpful safety and security information for nonprofit organizations, can be found at CISA.gov.

FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) is offering two information sessions on Zoom to explain the application cycle and answer any questions from interested applicants or parents and guardians. Teens or individuals who know motivated teenagers are encouraged to attend to learn more. Click each link below in advance to register.

• Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m.
• Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.

FEMA Region 10 is hosting a webinar from 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 16 on Engaging Youth in CERT. The event is part of FEMA’s quarterly CERT Promising Practices Webinar Series, which highlights ongoing efforts, changes due to COVID, and best practices for engaging within the community for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) across FEMA Region 10 states. Guest speakers include active CERT members from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, as well as state and local partners in collaboration with CERT teams. Register in advance at Zoom.

The third annual Injury and Violence Prevention Data Science Demonstration Project, run by APHA and the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, aims to enhance public health capacity by supporting organizations engaged in data science practice. This grant opportunity is open to organizations or institutions currently working on data science projects focused on injury and violence prevention. Each site will be awarded up to $200,000 to assist with project implementation. Learn more and click here to apply by Feb. 20.

FEMA’s National Integration Center is offering an Alert and Warning Technical Assistance (TA) workshop from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21-22, with a delivery orientation from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. This workshop is designed for public sector warning authority officials, which may include emergency managers, public information officers, social media coordinators and public outreach coordinators. The TA covers strategies to help an organization reduce process delays in issuing alert and warning messages; increase message reach, including to individuals with access and functional needs; incorporate social science research findings into message development to maximize public action; develop a social media plan for emergencies; and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions. Register at Eventbrite: Alert and Warning Technical Assistance Workshop.

February is the last month the federal government will allow Oregon to issue expanded pandemic emergency food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Households that receive SNAP will continue to receive their regular SNAP benefits after February. Please share the following available resources for those needing low-cost or free food:   

• Oregon Food Bank’s food finder tool can help find a food pantry in the area. 
• Call 211, text a zip code to 898-211, or search at 211info.org.
• A variety of food resources are available through ODHS. 
• Older adults and people with disabilities seeking food resources can check out Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon or call 1-855-673-2372.
• Local Community Action Agencies can offer food resources and support.

The Climate Change Preparedness Conference 2023 will take place March 1-3 in Washington, DC. The three-day event unites climate experts, government officials and policymakers, community organizers, youth leaders, environmental professionals and other stakeholders from around the country to focus on adaptive solutions to foster climate resilience. Click here for more information and to register. 

National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), taking place March 19-25, is dedicated to raising awareness about poison control centers (PCCs) and the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222). Organizations are invited to join in educating the public about the valuable services provided by PCCs. America’s Poison Centers NPPW 2023 web page features a partner toolkit with daily themed guidance, social media content and downloadable graphics to help promote the event.

The Oregon Remote Pilot in Command (ORPIC) standard must be met to fly under the statewide FAA COAs. The Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO), through the Fire & EMS Working group and Scappoose Fire, is hosting two ORPIC classes on May 15-19 and May 22-26 in the Portland region. Applicants must have an FAA Part 107 license to apply. The class is open to emergency management, public works, SAR law enforcement, fire, RDPO agencies and partners. Click here to register by 4 p.m. on March 23.

As part of a Catastrophic Disaster System of Medical Care two-year project, the NW Oregon Health Preparedness Organization formed a workgroup with key stakeholders to better understand clinical-level earthquake readiness and determine resiliency efforts that could be done now to support organizations that serve the most medically fragile people, as well as recovery planning efforts to support getting patients back to their regular medical homes. A survey was conducted, followed by a provider focus group. The Continuity of Care Project Final Report outlines these efforts.

The National Weather Service (NWS) will increase the upper limit for alert duration of NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) alerts from the current limit of six hours to 99.5 hours sometime this spring. This will affect Non-Weather Emergency Messages (NWEM) received through FEMA’s IPAWS and NWS weather watches and warnings. The change will allow alert duration indicators in EAS radio or television crawls to display the true alert duration of the hazard rather than limit the expiration to six hours, providing more consistent messaging across multiple dissemination systems. Click here to learn more.

The Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) has rolled out new free resources that provide professional development tools and information to the earthquake and disaster preparedness community: 

• The Ahead of the Wave podcast series explores a variety of seismic and risk-reduction topics, including a discussion about tsunami vertical evacuation structures with an engineer who designs them, an episode that explores aspects of seismic mitigation and FEMA’s flood insurance program, and a conversation about the use of CPACE to finance seismic mitigation projects. 
• A new online hub called Tools and Resources for Earthquake Programs presents information about software tools and other online resources used by earthquake program managers, emergency managers, resiliency officers, and others who manage or support earthquake preparedness and mitigation programs. 
• EQPM 101 is an on-demand learning resource for earthquake program managers and those who work with them. Modules include topics such as funding, logic models, public relations and social media. 
• Insure Against Earthquakes Outreach Hub is a guide to information and resources for those who help educate members of the public about disaster readiness.  

According to the USDA Oregon Water Supply Outlook Report for Feb. 1, nearly 64% of the state is in some drought category (D1-D4), with 15% of the state in extreme to exceptional drought (D3-D4). Areas of the state in some drought categories have increased from 60% in early January, while the area of the state affected by D3-D4 drought has declined from 26%. Storm impacts in the first half of January have contributed to drought improvement from extreme (D3) to severe drought (D2) for many areas in Klamath, Lake and Harney Counties. Severe to exceptional drought persists in central Oregon, notably in Crook County where exceptional drought remains. Moderate drought has expanded into the central Cascades and southern Willamette Basin due to continued drier than normal conditions.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released Secure Your Drone: Privacy and Data Protection Guidance for drone users to protect their data and privacy before, during and after flying a drone. The guidance is targeted primarily to individual drone users, but its overview of the privacy and data security issues with drone technology could be useful to anyone using this technology, including emergency response and law enforcement agencies. In addition to addressing individual privacy and data security concerns, the document lists additional resources to augment organizational preparedness, response and resilience.

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in January shows that shows that people with disabilities are far more likely than anyone else to face major hardships including displacement from their homes due to a major disaster. The information marks the first time the Census Bureau has analyzed how disasters affect groups of people. It comes as increasing disaster damage due in part to climate change is drawing attention to the disproportionate impact on marginalized people. The data could galvanize long-standing efforts to improve the treatment of people with disabilities after destructive hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other events.