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Community Preparedness

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.



Emergency Pocket plan

Create and practice your personal emergency action plan.



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.




Upcoming Events

 
 


Practice earthquake safety and preparedness by participating in The Great Oregon ShakeOut drill! Join thousands of Oregonians in this annual event to learn and practice essential safety measures. It's a great way to ensure you and your loved ones know what to do when an earthquake strikes.


Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025

Time: At 10:16 AM (local time)

Where: Wherever you are! Participants can join from their locations


Register for Oregon Shakeout


Learn more about this event by visiting our Great ShakeOut page

 


Following The Great Oregon Shake Out drill, we invite you to join us for the Great Oregon Camp-In! This is an opportunity for Oregonians to spend some time working on their emergency plan and practicing what it might be like to do day-to-day activities after a disaster disrupts our daily lives.


Date: Friday, October 17- Sunday, October 19.

Time: for a few hours or the entire weekend!

Where: Wherever you are! Participants can join from their locations.


Learn more about this event by visiting our Great Oregon Camp-In page

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

Click here to subscribe to Community Preparedness email updates.


Resources


  • Oregon Emergency Manager Contacts

    • Past Events

    2025:

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    The 2025 Communities Prepared for Disasters webinar series focused 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 was offered in English with Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, and Chinese translation and ASL interpreting. Both sessions were recorded and posted to OEM’s Be 2 Weeks Ready YouTube channel. 

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

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    Webinar Materials

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