Pictured Above: Jeff Washington holding an award

recognizing his 30 years of service at Multnomah County.

A longtime member of the Multnomah County family, Jeff Washington, died January 12th after experiencing a medical emergency while bicycling in the Columbia River Gorge, just one month after being recognized for his 30 years of service. Throughout his career, Jeff worked in multiple departments with several teams. His absence is being felt by colleagues across the County. 

Those fortunate enough to have known Jeff experienced a fun, funny, and social person who was always willing to pitch in and help out. He loved music of all kinds and was an outdoor sport enthusiast. His greatest outdoor passion was bike riding, but above all, he was a proud father of his twin daughters.

Jeff started his career with Multnomah County at the Health Department. He was a long-term team member of Healthy Birth Initiatives (HBI). Jeff also worked in Human Resources, Integrated Clinical Services Student Health Centers, the STARS (Students Aren’t Ready For Sex) program, and Parent and Child Family Health (PCFH) where he was a founding member of their Equity in Action team (several years before the initiation of the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan). 

In his personal life, Jeff provided sports training and mentorship for young men of color with Portland Parks & Recreation, most notably at Mt. Scott Community Center. Jeff was someone who truly seemed to understand the importance that a positive adult figure can make.

When called upon during COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff joined the team assembled in the County’s Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate access to resources for organizations focused on underserved communities. This led to Jeff’s most recent position within the Office of Emergency Management, where his frequent and continued support of severe weather shelters earned him a nomination for the “Outstanding Team Achievement” Employee Recognition Award as a member of the Severe Weather Shelter Activation team. 

Jeff was proud of his colleagues and the important, and sometimes difficult, work the County is engaged in.

Many people have asked how they can help.

A GoFundMe page has also been created to help with the costs that are already adding up. If you are interested in receiving a link to that page, or in helping with the many details of putting together a Celebration of Jeff’s Life event scheduled for early March, please reach out to Alice Busch at alicelasherbusch@gmail.com (link sends e-mail).

One of Jeff’s friends said that “Jeff had a way of connecting that made each of us feel valued and important in his life,” which is so true. The loss of Jeff Washington will be felt across the County and within many of the communities we serve.

Note: This is an edited version of an article originally published in Wednesday Wire, an internal Multnomah County newsletter.

Photo by Multnomah County Communications.

February saw Multnomah County's Office of Emergency Management activate for two events. In partnership with other County departments and jurisdictions like the City of Portland, severe weather shelters opened from February 4th-5th and February 10th-15th. Among the sites were new facilities, including NW 14th shelter, Grand Oak shelter and Hollywood shelter.

At emergency weather shelters, a total of 344 were served in the February 4th-5th event and 3,580 guests were served in the February 10th-15th event. To support the effort, 43 people staffed 48 shifts during the February 4th-5th event and 442 people staffed 952 shifts during the February 10th-15th event. Additionally, the Passenger Transportation Unit was stood up for each event to assist guests in getting to and from severe weather shelters.

Logistics collaborated with the Health Department to coordinate the delivery of Narcan for Harm Reduction distribution to shelter guests as they departed shelters. This is separate from the Narcan typically provided to reverse overdoses in shelters. The Health Department facilitated the provision of mobile medical vans to many sites, including Cook Plaza, where shelter guests could receive medical care.

While these activations have ended, other severe weather events may occur. For resources regarding severe winter weather, visit Care for When It's Cold for information.

Pictured above and right: Examples of PublicAlerts sent in Multnomah County. One warns recipients of policy activity in their neighborhood. The other warns of dangerously warm temperatures.

Public agencies use various methods to share critical information during emergencies. For most situations, media releases, official websites, and social media platforms are sufficient for keeping the public informed. Partnerships with community-based organizations that have unique ways of staying in touch with the clients they serve also help ensure that traditionally underserved and marginalized communities also receive information.

However, when a serious emergency occurs, we rely on tools like PublicAlerts (called OR-Alert in other parts of Oregon) to send urgent messages directly to phones and email accounts. This opt-in Community Emergency Notification System allows you to receive alerts in multiple languages by text, voice, or email, depending on your preferences.



When we really need to reach everyone in an affected area, we have the ability to push Wireless Emergency Alert text messages and broadcast Emergency Alert System messages over television and radio via the federal Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. The National Weather Service can also push out weather alerts via NOAA Weather Radios. It is very rare here in Multnomah County for us to use these tools, but they are available when we need to use them.

More likely, you may receive emergency messages via PublicAlerts, such as to shelter in place due to neighborhood police activity or to warn you of an imminent hazard, such as excessive heat or a boil water notice.

PublicAlerts allows you to sign up in 11 languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Romanian, Ukrainian, Japanese, Arabic, and Lao. If possible, we recommend you make an emergency preparedness plan with one person who can communicate in English.

Signing up for PublicAlerts is easy! Visit PublicAlerts or OR-Alert to find your county's signup link. Remember that each county has its own database, so you'll need to register in each county where you want to receive alerts.

You will only receive this type of alert if the address(es) you provided when signing up is in an affected area. It’s a good idea to enter all of the addresses where you live, work, attend school, etc. This is especially true if you have vulnerable loved ones who are often away from you. For example, if your children are in school across town and there's an emergency in that area - you would want to get an alert for this! You might need to register in several counties. 

How you receive the alert depends on your preferences when signing up. This alert can be sent as an email; a voice message to a landline, cell phone, or internet phone; or cell phone text message.

Multnomah County Emergency Management is developing a comprehensive Alert and Warning program to ensure that urgent emergency notifications reach everyone who is affected. For more information about this program, please contact Richard Higgins richard.higgins@multco.us. And–one more time!--If you live or work or go to school in Multnomah County, sign up for PublicAlerts and learn more!

Note: This is an edited version of an article originally published in Wednesday Wire, an internal Multnomah County newsletter.

Upcoming Events

You can view upcoming training opportunities through the following events calendars: Multnomah County, the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (subscribe option), the State of Oregon (subscribe option), and the State of Washington.

Training Offerings

March 5-7: Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication Training

• Host: Clatsop County
• Time:  8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: Judge Guy Boyington Building; 857 Commercial Street; Astoria, OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: Register Here

March 10-13: G-2302 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Leaders Skillset Course

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management
• Time:  8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: 3930 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: 
• E/L/K/G 2300: Intermediate Emergency Operations Center Functions
• IS2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions 
• Registration: Register Here 

March 11: AWR-945 — Bomb Threat Assessment

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 11: AWR-340 — Protective Measures Awareness (PMA)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 12: AWR-333 — Improvised Explosive Device Construction and Classification (IED-CC)

• Host: FEMA
• Time: 8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 12: AWR-338 — Homemade Explosive (HME) and Precursor Awareness (HME-P)

• Host: FEMA
• Time: 8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 12-13: MGT-341: Disaster Preparedness for Healthcare Organizations within the Community Infrastructure

• Host: Eugene Springfield Fire
• Time:  8:00am-4:00pm PST
• Location: Eugene Fire Station 2, 1705 W 2nd Ave Eugene, OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: Email request to Nathan Kunasek, nkunasek@eugene-or.gov 

March 13: AWR-337 — Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Explosive Effects Mitigation (IED-EEM)

• Host: FEMA
• Time: 8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 13: AWR-334 — Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle (ITAC)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 14: MGT-405: Mobilizing Faith-Based Community Organizations in Preparing for Disaster

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Time:  8:30am-4:30pm PST
• Location: 3930 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 18: AWR-945 — Bomb Threat Assessment

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 18: AWR-334 — Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle (ITAC)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 18-20: ICS-300: ICS for Expanding Incidents

• Host: Oregon Department of Forestry
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm daily PST
• Location: Oregon Dept. of Forestry; 3150 Main Street; Springfield, OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: Applicants must provide certificates of completion for the following FEMA/EMI courses:
• IS-100: Introduction to the ICS
• IS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Incidents
• IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction
• IS-800: National Response Framework (NRF)
• Registration: Register Here (FEMA SID required)

March 19: AWR-335 — Response to Suspicious Behaviors and Items for Bombing Prevention (RSBI)

• Host: FEMA
• Time: 8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites:  None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 19: AWR-333 — Improvised Explosive Device Construction and Classification (IED-CC)

• Host: FEMA
• Time: 11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites:  None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 19: AWR-340 — Protective Measures Awareness (PMA)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 20: AWR-943 — Suspicious Activity Recognition for Bombing Prevention (SAR BP)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  8:00-9:15am PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 20: AWR-337 — Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Explosive Effects Mitigation (IED-EEM)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 20: AWR-338 — Homemade Explosive (HME) and Precursor Awareness (HME-P)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 25: AWR-334 — Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle (ITAC)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 25: AWR-337 — Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Explosive Effects Mitigation (IED-EEM)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 25: AWR-939 — Introduction to Bomb Threat Management (IBTM)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  1:00-2:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 25: MGT404: Sports and Special Events Incident Management

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: 500 SE Cass Ave; Roseburg, OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 25-27: G2304: Emergency Operations Center Planning Skillsets

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Time:  8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: 500 SE Cass Ave; Roseburg, OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (IS2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions recommended)
• Registration: Register Here

March 26: AWR-340 — Protective Measures Awareness (PMA)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: 3930 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 26: AWR-945 — Bomb Threat Assessment

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 26: AWR-335 — Response to Suspicious Behaviors and Items for Bombing Prevention (RSBI)

• Host: FEMA
• Time: 3:00-4:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites:  None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 27: AWR-333 — Improvised Explosive Device Construction and Classification (IED-CC)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites:  None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 27: AWR-338 — Homemade Explosive (HME) and Precursor Awareness (HME-P)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 27: AWR-943 — Suspicious Activity Recognition for Bombing Prevention (SAR BP)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  3:00-4:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

March 31-April 3: Information Technology Service Unit Leader (ITSL) Training Course

• Host: CISA
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm daily PST
• Location: State of Oregon Emergency Coordination Center; 3930 Fairview Industrial Dr SE; Salem, OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: Applicants must provide certificates of completion for the following FEMA/EMI courses:
• IS-100: Introduction to the ICS
• IS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Incidents
• IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction
• IS-800: National Response Framework (NRF)
• ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (classroom-based instruction)
• Registration: Register Here

April 1: AWR-337 — Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Explosive Effects Mitigation (IED-EEM)

• Host: FEMA
• Time:  11:00am-12:15pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None (FEMA SID required)
• Registration: Register Here

April 3: Be 2 Weeks Ready Program Manager Training

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Time:  1:00-5:30pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: Register Here

April 4: Severe Weather Shelter/Disaster Resource Center Info Session

• Host: Multnomah County Department of County Human Services
• Time: 11:00am-11:45am PST
• Location: Virtual (Google Meet Link)
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: N/A
• Learn More

April 4: Severe Weather Shelter/Disaster Resource Center Staff Training

• Host: Multnomah County Department of County Human Services
• Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm PST
• Location: Virtual
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: Register Here
• Learn More

April 8-10: G2306: EOC Resource Skillset Course

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Time:  8:00-5:00pm PST
• Location: 3930 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem OR
• Cost: Free 
• Prerequisites: 
• IS2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions
• Recommended: E/L/K/G 2300, Intermediate EOC Functions
• Registration: Register Here

Upcoming Conferences

April 15-18: Oregon Prepared 2025 Conference

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm daily PST
• Location: Sunriver Resort, 17600 Center Drive, Sunriver, OR
• Cost: $250 
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: Register Here

May 6-8: RADIO Conference and Cyber Resilient 911 (CR911) Oregon Workshop

• Host: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and CISA
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm daily PST
• Location: 3930 Fairview Industrial SE, Salem, OR
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: Register Here