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Director's Message
April 16-27 is National Volunteer Week, an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service on our communities. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management recognizes those that support Oregon's emergency management community and help out during difficult times.
We're incredibly grateful to our friends and partners at Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ORVOAD), the state's long-term recovery groups, American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, the CERT Community Emergency Response Teams, amateur radio operators, search and rescue volunteers, and all the non-profit, faith-based and community organizations that respond whenever needed.
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These people and groups help our communities in countless ways, often working tirelessly to provide communications, food, shelter, clothing, cleanup and other disaster recovery support to lessen the burden for those impacted by disaster. The entire team at OEM thanks our state's remarkable volunteers for all they do!
All my best,
Matt Garrett, Interim Director, Oregon Department of Emergency Management
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OEM launches new Search and Rescue dashboard
OEM recently launched the Oregon Search and Rescue Incident Database (OSARID), a tool that captures and displays critical data on search and rescue (SAR) incidents within the state. State SAR Coordinator Scott Lucas and OEM GIS Program Coordinator Daniel Stoelb developed OSARID as a replacement for the SARCAT system, an out-of-date program no longer supported by its vendor. In creating this tool, OEM will be able to maintain and update it moving forward.
OSARID uses ArcGIS Survey123 to collect and extract SAR information. Users with ArcGIS accounts gather, edit and review incident data for their jurisdiction using web or mobile devices, even when disconnected from the Internet. Results can be quickly analyzed, or data can be securely uploaded for further analysis. The public-facing hub site offers reports, quick chart breakdowns and interactive dashboards.
All Oregon county sheriff SAR programs and the Warm Springs Confederated Tribe have access to OSARID. Access can be granted for jurisdictional or individual accounts, and OEM can link any existing ArcGIS account to the SAR database. Those who don’t already have an ArcGIS login should reach out to daniel.stoelb@oem.oregon.gov.
Oregon is one of the top three states in collecting SAR data. The data and stats collected are important for reporting to help counties with future SAR funding needs. The department is in the process of migrating years of data from SARCAT to OSARID and hopes to have all data loaded soon.
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World Amateur Radio Day
April 18 marked World Amateur Radio Day, celebrating amateur radio operators worldwide. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management recognizes all the amateur radio (ham) operators in Oregon who provide vital communications capabilities during and after disasters. Amateur radio operators assist emergency responders by managing and easing heavy communications traffic, providing up-to-date information through established communications networks, and helping to locate and facilitate the distribution of resources during emergencies. Learn more at www.arrl.org.
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Funding to reduce unsheltered homelessness awarded to seven Continuum of Care regions
On Monday, April 10, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Governor’s Office endorsed Community Plans and announced funding amounts for the seven areas named in Executive Order 23-02. The funding will be used to add at least 600 low-barrier shelter beds and rehouse at least 1,200 unsheltered households in emergency areas. Below is the breakdown of funding allocated to each region included in the emergency declaration:
- Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County: $18.2 million to rehouse 275 households and create 138 shelter beds
- Eugene/Springfield/Lane County: $15.5 million to rehouse 247 households and create 230 shelter beds
- Central Oregon: $13.9 million to rehouse 161 households and create 111 shelter beds
- Salem/Marion, Polk Counties: $10.4 million to rehouse 158 households and create 79 shelter beds
- Medford, Ashland/Jackson County: $8.8 million to rehouse 133 households and create 67 shelter beds
- Hillsboro/Beaverton/Washington County: $8.0 million to rehouse 121 households and create 61 shelter beds
- Clackamas County: $4.4 million to rehouse 130 households.
- ODEM and OHCS are working closely with Linn, Clatsop and Malheur counties to develop community plans.
Recognizing that unsheltered homelessness impacts communities in every part of Oregon, the legislature also approved $26 million in HB 5019 to address homelessness in the counties that did not meet the threshold of the emergency order when the Governor issued it on Jan. 10, 2023. Counties not included in the original declared emergency areas will receive funding in July to create new shelter beds and rehouse people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Learn more at www.oregon.gov/oem.
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April is Emergency Communications Month
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) observes Emergency Communications Month in April to recognize the role of emergency communications as a vital function. CISA encourages all emergency communications partners to “Get Connected and Stay Connected” by enrolling in the agency’s free priority telecommunications services. These services are free to all personnel with national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) functions. Learn more at www.cisa.gov.
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It’s a Crime Scene: Mass Casualty Impact and Recovery seminar series
The Private Sector Preparedness Response and Recovery (PSPR2): Mass Casualty Impact and Recovery seminar series is a nine-part series that shares critical infrastructure best practices, valuable lessons and planning resources and tools to assist with mass casualty impact and recovery. The second session will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. on April 20. “It’s a Crime Scene” will explore employee, customer and other business considerations and actions that must happen immediately after a mass casualty event occurs, from ensuring life safety and the integrity of the crime scene to establishing victim crisis and support services. Speakers include City of Orlando Office of Emergency Management Emergency Manager Manuel Soto discussing the emergency management response to the Pulse Nightclub shooting; and Albertsons Companies Director of Crisis & Business Continuity Management Don Lynn discussing the private sector impact and recovery of a mass casualty event. Learn more and register with Eventbrite.
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OEM seeks Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Coordinator
Oregon Emergency Management is hiring an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Coordinator to facilitate the agency's strategic priorities to transform its culture into one that centers on community-building and engagement, inclusiveness, equity, diversity and accessibility to empower all staff to be a part of effective and meaningful change – both internally and externally. This position will work with department leadership, staff, partners and advisory councils to coordinate the development of new policies and practices to build, sustain and further a culture of empathy, transparency, collaboration and conversation. An applicant information session will be held on Zoom from noon-1 p.m. on April 20. Learn more and apply at www.oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
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OHA VISTA host site recruitment
Public, private or faith-based nonprofit organizations, as well as local, state, tribal or federal agencies can become an AmeriCorps VISTA host site. Host sites identify significant program-level work that will help build local capacity to alleviate poverty and improve public health. Sites host AmeriCorps VISTA national service members each for one year, often for three successive years. Host sites provide a financial match, direct the project, supervise and mentor the member, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project. AmeriCorps VISTA members spend one year in full-time service to address the needs of low-income communities and improve public health. All projects focus on building permanent public health infrastructure in economically disadvantaged communities to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Applications are reviewed and approved on a rolling basis between now and April 24. Learn more at www.oregon.gov/oha.
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Office hours for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants
OEM’s accounting team will host its monthly office hours at 2 p.m. on April 26 on Microsoft Teams. Office hours are provided to answer questions for submitting and documenting Requests for Reimbursements (RFR) for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants and allow for discussions and problem-solving as subrecipient awardees work through RFR documentation. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 299 758 424 784 Passcode: R9G3i8).
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Insurance for a rainy day (and other disasters)
Insurance is step one of protecting personal belongings. FEMA is hosting a webinar from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on April 27 featuring insurance experts who will discuss how to become better financially prepared for future disasters, including what to consider when adding coverage to a policy, how insurance works after a disaster hits, and best practices when planning for the future. There will be time for questions and room for discussion. Click here to register in advance.
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Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
Registration is open for the 48th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop taking place July 9-12 in Broomfield, Colorado. Register by May 1 to receive an early bird rate. This year’s theme is Ethical Action for Disaster Risk Reduction. For those who can’t attend in person, there’s a registration option to watch the keynote and plenary sessions via livestream. Learn more and register at www.hazards.colorado.edu.
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Wildfire-focused “When Minutes Matter: Alert and Warning Technical Assistance (TA)” workshop
FEMA is offering a wildfire-focused “When Minutes Matter: Alert and Warning Technical Assistance (TA)” workshop delivery from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 10, 17 and 24. Participants should include those with a role in communicating emergency protective action guidance to the public, from jurisdictions threatened by wildfire. The delivery will include presentations from experts in wildfire-specific risk communication who will also be available to answer questions about alerts and warnings for wildfire. This TA is available for up to 500 participants and is limited to no more than two participants per jurisdiction. Register at www.eventbrite.com.
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Webinar shows how ShakeAlert technology can enhance a workplace’s earthquake resilience
The ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System detects earthquakes quickly so alerts can be delivered to people before they feel shaking. These alerts can be directly integrated into healthcare facility communication and control systems, such as intercoms, to warn people and protect patients and staff. Examples include opening elevator doors to prevent people from becoming trapped inside and shutting down delicate hospital equipment to limit damage. By giving people time to protect themselves, ShakeAlert can save lives and safeguard mission-critical equipment. ShakeAlert is holding a free, two-hour webinar from 1-3 p.m. on May 10 to share how hospitals and other healthcare partners can use ShakeAlert technology to enhance their workplace’s earthquake resilience. Click here to learn more and register.
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Update "My Electronic Vaccine Card" before May 11
After the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends May 11, people in Oregon will no longer be able to update their digital COVID-19 vaccination record—My Electronic Vaccine Card (MEVC). People will be able to use the e-card as proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations indefinitely, but OHA encourages people to update their card before May 11 with any booster doses not shown on the MEVC. To update a card, visit www.oregon.gov/oha, enter personal information and follow the prompts.
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Free water testing is available to private well users in Umatilla and Morrow counties
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding private well users in Umatilla and Morrow counties to take advantage of free water testing and treatment so well users in those counties can know their risk of exposure to nitrate and other contaminants. Domestic (private) well users who live in parts of Umatilla and Morrow counties within the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, or LUBGWMA, are eligible to apply for water testing vouchers. To be eligible for a free voucher the well water must be used for drinking, bathing, cooking and washing dishes, and the well is not part of a public water system. Testing voucher applications will be accepted through May 15 and expire June 7. The vouchers cover testing for nitrate, arsenic, bacteria, lead, iron, manganese and hardness. Learn more at www.oregon.gov/oha.
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Crisis and Risk Emergency Communication training
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will host Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) training from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16-17 (both sessions are required to receive a completion certificate) at the Linn County Expo Center in Albany. CERC training uses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention curriculum to help communicators understand the principals that should be applied to provide the public with information needed to make the best decisions within incredible challenging time constraints. The training is designed for PIOs, health educators, emergency managers, emergency preparedness coordinators and others responsible for developing and conveying public information during a public health emergency. Register at www.eventbrite.com.
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FEMA National Exercise Program accepting requests for exercise support
FEMA’s National Exercise Program is accepting requests for exercise support. To be considered for the 2023 round of the National Exercise Program, submissions are due by June 1. This will be the only opportunity to request exercise support in 2023. Applications will need to be reviewed by the Regional Exercise Officer prior to submission. Applications are open to all state, local, tribal and territorial governments but new applicants, especially those from underserved jurisdictions, are urged to apply. For jurisdictions not ready to submit a request at this time, the National Exercise Program will hold another exercise support round in 2024. Discussion-based exercise support will only be provided for exercises with a conduct date of Jan. 2, 2024, or later, and operations-based exercise support will only be provided for exercises with a conduct date of April 17, 2024, or later. Instructions for how to submit a request for support are available on www.fema.gov.
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SBA federal disaster loans available in several Oregon counties
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for economic injury to businesses and individuals for several recent disasters.
McKinney Fire - Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties: Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the McKinney Fire that occurred July 29-Aug. 22, 2022. The deadline to apply is May 19, 2023.
Mill Fire - Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties: Businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by the Mill Fire that occurred Sept. 2-13, 2022. Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, and homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. The deadline to apply for property damage is June 5, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 4, 2024.
Drought - Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Morrow, Wasco and Wheeler counties: Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought that began March 15, 2023. The deadline to apply is Nov. 24, 2023.
Drought - Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wheeler counties: Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought that began April 1, 2023. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1, 2023.
Learn more and apply at www.disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
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Upcoming changes to NWS HeatRisk
The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced minor changes to its NWS HeatRisk and the HeatRisk website, schedule to take effect by the end of May. The changes include:
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The climate grids (PRISM) used for determining HeatRisk will be updated. This is expected to overall improve HeatRisk output but may not be noticeable to the user.
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The HeatRisk categories will be changed to align with other NWS risk services like the WSSI and Weather Risk Outlook Matrix. This will categorize HeatRisk as little to none, minor, moderate, major and extreme. The descriptions for these categories have been updated to be more specific and focus on who and what are impacted for each HeatRisk category.
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The HeatRisk public webpage has been updated to improve the map layers. County and city map layers will overlay the HeatRisk map and the default opacity will be 100%. This will allow the HeatRisk colors to be viewed as the true full colors of the HeatRisk color scale.
View the HeatRisk website at www.wrh.noaa.gov.
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DHS launches website with targeted violence and terrorism prevention resources
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its federal partners recently launched a new website to help prevent targeted violence and terrorism by giving the public easier access to available grants, research, training opportunities and other resources across 17 federal agencies. The site is organized into five searchable categories: Community Support Resources, Evidence-Based Research, Grant Funding Opportunities, Information-Sharing Platforms and Training Opportunities. Each category is further organized by the audience it is intended to reach including community partners, faith-based organizations, educators, behavioral health providers, and others. The site offers a wide array of resources including educational materials, trainings, and information on grant funding. Learn more at www.PreventionResourceFinder.gov.
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The power of data integration for more effective 911 dispatch
RapidSOS is offering an on-demand webinar featuring RapidSOS, SiriusXM Connected Vehicle Services and Hexagon discussing and highlighting the critical role of data integration in emergency response. This webinar emphasizes the significance of advanced technologies, such as connected vehicle data and location-based intelligence, that can enhance emergency response and save lives. Viewers can learn how end-to-end, real-time data delivered digitally and directly into CAD systems can help streamline emergency response and speed up dispatch and response times. Viewers can also gain insight into how collaborative efforts in partnership between technology leaders and emergency responders can lead to increased operational effectiveness. Watch at www.rapidsos.com.
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The Clackamas County Long Team Recovery Group (CCLTRG) has spent the last several years doing the important work of wildfire restoration, rebuilding and returning wildfire survivors to safe, sanitary and secure living conditions following the 2020 wildfire disaster. That unfortunate event stirred an even deeper passion and desire in many hearts to serve people in a greater capacity and in the most difficult of circumstances.
Now, the CCLTRG is in the process of closing its final few cases and is transitioning to a Community Organization Active in Disasters (COAD). The capable team had the foresight to raise funds for some staffing and built capacity to pivot in such a direction. Congratulations to all the hardworking members of the CCLTRG and their partners -- we look forward to seeing all the amazing, good work you'll continue to do!
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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: $765,311,588 DR4519—2020 Flooding: $5,121,260 DR4562—2020 Wildfire: $495,309,275 DR4599—2021 Ice Storm: $25,751,300
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The Readiness Report is a roundup of topics of interest to emergency managers, partners and stakeholders. Email OEM Public Affairs with story ideas and feedback. |
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