NOVEMBER 2019 multco.us/em
Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management Monthly Newsletter
Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management (MCEM) compiles this monthly email to provide information related to emergency management activities.
Catastrophic Earthquake Plan and Continuity of Government Plan kicking off

MCEM has commissioned a continuity of government and catastrophic
earthquake response planning project to increase regional readiness.

View the project overview.
Landslide Hazards Guide Released

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) have released  Preparing for Landslide Hazards: A Land Use Guide for Oregon Communities  and its accompanying  Quick Reference   handout. The  Guide  addresses changes communities can make to their codes, plans and policies to implement new information provided on DOGAMI lidar-based landslide maps. It also provides examples of comprehensive plan language and development code provisions that can help communities reduce risk to landslide hazards.
Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act requirements for 911

In 2020, new Next Generation 911 (NG911) requirements will go into effect.
Need $$ to Complete a Project??

Homeland Security Grant Program application proposals are due soon! If you have a project in mind or are interested in learning more, please click here to read about the application process as well as some of the grants for which MCEM has recently received funding.
Winter Weather Alerts & More

There are multiple ways to receive information and updates during winter weather events.
Jasmine Avgerakis holding the OEMA award placard
Congratulations Jasmine!

MCEM's Jasmine Avgerakis was honored with the Oregon Emergency Management Association's 2019 OEMA Innovation, Collaboration, and Service award for managing the six-month regional Disaster Resource Center training video project, which included 44 organizations and 164 individual participants across government and non-government agencies, and spanned 5 counties and 2 states. The 18 video segments, complete with translation and captioning, train and guide staff in Disaster Resource Centers. A podcast was also developed so that people with low vision or who are blind can also complete the training and help serve during a disaster. Read more about Disaster Resource Centers and training.
New Online EMI Applications

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) now uses an online admissions application system. This system is the preferred method to apply for all resident courses (“E” courses).  Applicants for these EMI courses will no longer need to submit a paper application form.

This new online process no longer requires applicants to have a signature from the Oregon OEM State Training Officer, except for NIMS ICS related Train-the-Trainer courses.

Review the online application webpage for additional information.
Great ShakeOut Update

Over 720,000 Oregonians participated in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill last month! Read more about the drill here.
Flu Season
Flu season is upon us! The CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October. If you haven't received your shot already there is still time! You can use  Vaccine Finder  to locate providers offering flu vaccines near you. There are other actions you can take to minimize your risk of getting the flu.  Nonpharmaceutical interventions  are actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine, that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like seasonal and pandemic influenza (flu). Influenza poses one of the world’s greatest infectious disease challenges.  While experts predict influenza pandemics will occur in the future, they cannot predict when the next pandemic will occur, what strain of the virus will be involved, or how severe the pandemic will be.  Read about how  pandemic flu is different from seasonal flu
Events & Workshops
  • November 6, webinar: EPA's Power Outage Incident Action Checklist and Utility Case Study. Register here.
  • November 8, Salem, OR: FY20 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grants Roadshow Workshop. Oregon Office of Emergency Management, State ECC, 3225 State St, Rm 115, Salem, OR 97301
  • November 8, Portland, OR: "Disasters, Resilience, and the Next Generation" Lecture, followed by a panel discussion. More info here.
  • November 12, webinar series: Making Mitigation Work. Topics and more info here.
  • November 14, webinar: Connecting Water Utilities and Emergency Management Agencies. Register here.
  • November 15-20, Savannah, GA: International Association of Emergency Managers 67th Annual Conference. For more info, please click here.
  • February 12-13, Silverton, OR: 2020 Disaster Behavioral Health Conference. Register here.

Ongoing
  • The Multnomah County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meets regularly on the second Friday of each month at the Portland Fire Training facility (4800 NE 122nd Portland, OR 97230) from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Training & Exercise Opportunities


Other
  • November 6, Lakewood, WA: Tri-County CCTA Re-Unification Table Top Exercise. Register here.
  • November 7, Eugene, OR: Free ORWARN Functional Exercise. Register here.
  • November 8, 13, 14, Portland, OR: Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) NW HPO. Register here.
  • November 19-20, Astoria, OR: ICS 400 Advanced Incident Command System. View the flyer here. Register by emailing vaarts@co.clatsop.or.us.
  • November 20-21, Willamina, OR: ICS 400 Advanced Incident Command System. Register here.
  • January 6-8, Vancouver, WA: ICS 300 Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents. To register: contact James Griggs at continuity@bpa.gov, or at 503-230-3778
  • January 9-10, Vancouver, WA: ICS 400 Advanced Incident Command System. To register: contact James Griggs at continuity@bpa.gov, or at 503-230-3778
Volunteer with us!
Interested in volunteering with the Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management? Click on the button below or contact Alice Busch ( alice.busch@multco.us) with questions.
Jobs
Click the button below to see a list of available Emergency Management positions.
Multnomah County Department of County Services - Transportation Division - Bridge Services took MCEM staff on a tour of some of the County bridges last month. This picture was taken on the Burnside Bridge.
Many thanks to RDPO for compiling many of the events, trainings, and job items listed in this newsletter.
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 reach out to Robert Quinn ( robert.quinn@multco.us ).

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