Multnomah County Emergency Management Monthly Newsletter
October 2021
Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management (MCEM) compiles this monthly email to provide information related to emergency management activities. If you have content for this newsletter, please submit to em.dutyofficer@multco.us by the 20th of each month.

For COVID-19 information and updates, visit Multnomah County's COVID-19 website.
RDPO Project Pipeline

The Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO) has launched the process for developing project proposals for the 2022 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant cycle. Have a project that needs funding? Consider submitting a proposal!

New this year
The process has been streamlined to reduce burden on partner organizations and improve the quality of proposals. Changes include:
  • New and revised forms
  • New proposal checklist to help keep track of the steps
  • Renewed requirement to include a Capability Development Plan for projects requesting equipment or supply purchases over multiple grant periods.

Project concepts are due December 10, 2021.

Wildfire Smoke Survey Now Available in Other Languages

Please help us spread the word about the Wildfire Smoke Community Survey! The results of the survey, which has now been translated into multiple language, will help inform the update to the countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

You can also share our Facebook and Twitter posts about the survey.
MCEM Quarterly Radio Drill Participation
Every quarter the MCEM hosts a quarterly radio drill with local partners. These drills follow our current communication process outlined in the Multnomah County Communications Plan (2013). We currently have 51 County Departments and external partners listed in our drill call-down roster. These drills:
  1. Train partners on the process for communicating via radio with the MCEM,
  2. Provide individuals an opportunity to practice using radio equipment, and
  3. Identify communication barriers (infrastructure- or personnel-related) that hinder radio communication capabilities.
Adding local partners to the regular communication drill helps expand our reach in preparation for, or in response to, emergencies. If your organization is interested in participating with these drills:
  1. Check if your organization is already participating in the attached VHF Radio Test Report,
  2. Review current radio capabilities and alignment with the frequencies listed in the Quarterly Radio Drill Standard Operating Guide (SOG), page 2.
  3. Contact the MCEM Training and Exercise Specialist (Robert Quinn, robert.quinn@multco.us) to review current radio capabilities and drill integration.
The Great ShakeOut!

The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill will take place on October 21 this year.

Practice how to be safe during an earthquake and use this opportunity to update emergency plans. Find out more about the Great ShakeOut.
A road that has been severely damaged due to an earthquake
OMSI Earthquake Video Survey

OMSI is seeking people to review a brief video about earthquakes and ShakeAlert.

You can watch the video and share your feedback by going directly to their online survey Must be 18 years or older.
Upcoming Training & Exercises Events

Please review the upcoming training opportunities for August through the following events calendars: Multnomah County, the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization, the State of Oregon, and the State of Washington.

Below are some events we would like to highlight:
  • AWR-328 All Hazards Preparedness for Animals in Disasters (Virtual) October 26, 2021. Registration.
  • MGT-448 All Hazards Planning for Animal, Agricultural, and Food Related Disasters (Virtual) November 2, 2021. Registration.
Have something you'd like to include in one of our future newsletters? We'd love to hear from you! To have your upcoming trainings, exercises, events, or other announcements added, please email em.dutyofficer@multco.us.

Have feedback about our newsletter? Take our survey.