DECEMBER 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.
Multnomah Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update to Kickoff December 12

A kickoff meeting will be held on December 12, 2019 to start the process of revising the 2011 Multnomah County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The CWPP is a mitigation plan with the goal of reducing impacts from future wildfires to the community at large.  
Cascadia Rising 2022 Exercise

Save the date! The Cascadia Rising 2022 exercise series will be a 4‐day Functional Exercise to occur June 13‐16, 2022. This exercise will see participation from the public, private, and non-profit sectors to coordinate a simulated field response to a 9.0 magnitude Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake. View the flyer.
Evacuating a Hospital in the Middle of a Wildfire

In the fall of 2017, leaders at Kaiser Permanente hospital in Santa Rosa, California, were faced with the difficult decision to evacuate the facility in the face of a fast-moving wildfire. 

Staff successfully evacuated 122 patients in 3 hours using a combination of ambulances, private vehicles and city buses. 

Hospital leadership discusses the events of that night, the decision, the hurdles they faced and other factors in this short interview , offering a first-hand look at the decision-making process behind an evacuation.

Source: Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC)
Winter Car Kit
 
Wondering what to get your loved ones this holiday season? Car kits are a practical gift!

As many people embark on trips during the holiday season, it’s important to consider vehicle safety. Being aware of hazardous driving conditions and carrying traction devices are two of the more clear safety measures. Multnomah County Department of Community Services (DCS) Transportation Division also encourages you to carry a car kit at all times.    
Disaster Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator Training 11.20.19

Multnomah County hosted a training on November 20 for individuals interested in becoming DRC Coordinators. The training had 12 participants who are now prepared to set-up, organize, and manage a DRC.

This training will be offered annually, with the next anticipated session being in the Spring of 2020. At this time, only Neighborhood Emergency Team volunteers, Multnomah County, and the City of Portland staff are set up to become trained DRC staff.

For questions about becoming a DRC Coordinator, please reach out to Department of Human Services Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Jennifer Masotja, jennifer.masotja@multco.us or visit the county DRC webpage.
Best of luck to Jasmine!

Jasmine Avgerakis will be returning to Mercy Corps where she will continue to follow her passion for international humanitarian and emergency relief efforts. During her time with MCEM she worked on Reunification and Disaster Resource Center (DRC) Plans; the development of DRC just-in-time training videos and universal signage; enhancing the county's Logistics Section; and improving internal processes. Please join MCEM in thanking Jasmine for her time serving our County and wishing her the best of luck in her next adventure.
Four Paid Climate Resilience and Recovery Internships - City of Portland

These 4 internships for Portland State University students are a part of the DRRAG (Disaster Resilience and Recovery Action Group). Graduate students are preferred but undergraduates with significant related experience may be considered. The deadline to apply is December 13th, 2019





Read more about the program here.
Winter Safety: Learn to Walk Like a Penguin!

Did you know that "o ne out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury" ( CDC )? During the winter months walking like a penguin can reduce your risk of falling on icy surfaces. Curious how to walk like a penguin? Check out this video developed by Alberta Health Services. 
 
For day-to-day tips to prevent older adult falls visit STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) .
Image of penguin on snow
Penguins are experts at walking on snow and ice!
Tips for walking in wintry conditions:

  • Focus on your footing
  • Walk like a penguin
  • Don't use your cell phone while walking
  • Use handrails
  • Be aware of changes in walking surfaces
  • Free up your hands
  • Report unsafe conditions
  • Use authorized paths
  • Step down off curbs, not out
  • Step down not out of car
  • Wear appropriate footwear

These tips and more are available here .
Events & Workshops
  • December 10, Salem, OR: Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Active Shooter Preparedness Workshop. Register here.
  • December 10, webinar: How to Integrate Research and Practice in Emergency Management. Register here.
  • December 12, webinar: ADA National Network Learning Session: FEMA's Section 504 Disability Access Plan. Click here for more info and to register.
  • January 9, webinar: ADA National Network Learning Session: Earthquake Preparedness For Everyone, With Everyone. Click here for more info and to register.
  • January 23, webinar: ADA National Network Learning Session: Effective Communication in Health Care. Click here for more info and to register.
  • February 10-11, 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.
  • December 6-7, Vancouver, WA: CISM Assisting Individuals in Crisis. Register here.
  • December 12, Portland, OR: ATC-45 Flood, Wind, and Explosion Training. Register here.
  • December 16, Grants Pass, OR: MGT-460 Planning for Disaster Debris Management. 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
  • January 10-11, Vancouver, WA: CISM Group Crisis Intervention. Register here.
  • January 12-17 or February 23-28: PER-201 Evidence Collection in a Hazardous Materials Environment. Click here for more info and to apply.
  • January 15, Newport, OR: AWR 232 Mass Fatalities Planning & Response for Rural Communities. Register by January 1 here.
  • February 4-5, Salem, OR: Cascadia Rising 2022 Concept and Objectives Meeting. More info to come.
  • March 10-12, Wilsonville, OR: L0705 Fundamentals of Grants Management. Register here.
  • March 28 - April 4, Anniston, AL: 5th Annual Tribal Nations Training Week: Building Native Resilience, Protecting the Circle. View the flyer for more info.
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.
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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