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Community Preparedness

Overview

A disaster can happen anywhere, at any time. In Oregon, we face potential hazards such as wildfires, floods, winter storms, earthquakes and tsunamis. Preparing for disasters can feel overwhelming, but you are probably more prepared than you think.

When disasters happen, first responders can become overwhelmed quickly and community members must rely on each other for help. You can increase community preparedness by: 

  • Learning about the hazards in the area by visiting your local emergency management website 
  • Following your local emergency management agency on social media 
  • Requesting a preparedness presentation.
  • Building an emergency kit with essential supplies like food, water, medications, flashlights, and batteries.
  • Creating a family communication plan so everyone knows how to reach each other in case of an emergency.
  • Practicing evacuation routes and knowing multiple ways to leave your home or workplace safely.
  • Securing important documents in a waterproof and fireproof container.
  • Preparing for power outages by having backup charging methods for phones and other essential devices.
Resources




OR Alert Logo

Sign up for emergency alerts at https://www.oralert.gov



Emergency Pocket plan

Create and practice your personal emergency action plan.





The Great Oregon Shake Out

Register for the Great ShakeOut on October 16 at 10:16 a.m


Programs


Be 2 Weeks Ready Logo 

Be 2 Weeks Ready

Being 2 Weeks Ready means having an emergency plan and enough supplies for you and everyone in your household to survive for at least two weeks following a disaster.


CERT Logo 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

As a member of a CERT program, you will be trained in basic disaster response skills, such as disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, fire safety, and light search and rescue.


YPC Logo 

Youth Preparedness Council (YPC)

The Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) brings teens together from across the country who are passionate about emergency preparedness and making a difference in their communities.



Events

 
YPC Logo 

Communities Prepared For Disasters: Older Adults

The 2025 Communities Prepared for Disasters webinar series focuses on how to help older adults prepare for the disasters we face every year in Oregon such as ice storms, wildfires and extreme heat. 

This free event will be offered in English with Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Chinese translation and ASL interpreting. Both sessions will be recorded and posted to OEM’s Be 2 Weeks Ready YouTube channel. 

Watch the 2024 webinar focusing on Spanish-speaking communities in Oregon.

 

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar Materials

 

For more information on community preparedness, email community.preparedness@oem.oregon.gov

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