Pictured Right: Jim Merten,

new MCEM team member.

On June 1st, Jim Merten joined Multnomah County Emergency Management as our new training and exercise officer. He came to us following a career in federal service with the United States Coast Guard, where he specialized in maritime emergency management, disaster response, port recovery, and continuity planning. His operational experience includes responses to hurricanes, wildfires, maritime incidents, and complex transportation system disruptions across the United States.

Jim has worked extensively with local, state, federal, and private-sector partners on preparedness, training, and resilience initiatives throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to his operational background, he teaches emergency management courses at the college level has a masters degree in Emergency Management. He is also currently completing a PhD focused on maritime disaster economics and infrastructure recovery. He is excited to support Multnomah County’s mission and contribute to building a more resilient community through training, exercises, and collaborative emergency management programs. Please help us welcome Jim to team! Jim can be contacted at james.merten@multco.us.

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

June 10: Disaster Resource Center Info Session

• Host: Multnomah County Department of County Human Services
• Time: 9:00am-9:45am PST
• Location: Virtual (Google Meet Link)
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisites: None
• Registration: None
• Learn More

June 10: Disaster Resource Center Staff Roles 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

June 22-26: L-0967 NIMS ICS All Hazards Logistics Section Chief 

• Host: Oregon Health Authority
• Time: 8:30am-5:30pm PST
• Location: Oregon State Fire Marshal Building, Mount Hood Conference Room 3991 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Salem, OR 97302
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisites: IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b, and IS-800.d
• Registration: Register Here
• Learn More



June 23-25: ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

• Host: Washington County Emergency Management
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: 1400 SW Walnut St, Hillsboro, OR 97213
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisites: IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b, and IS-800.d
• Registration: Register Here
• Learn More

August 5-6: ICS-400: Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff - Complex Incidents

• Host: Washington County Emergency Management
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: 1400 SW Walnut St, Hillsboro, OR 97213
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisites: IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b, and IS-800.d
• Registration: Email Brittany_Miller@washingtoncountyor.gov
• Learn More

August 26: Emergency Operations Center / Incident Command System (EOC/ICS) Interface

• Host: Washington County Emergency Management
• Time: 8:00am-5:00pm PST
• Location: 1400 SW Walnut St, Hillsboro, OR 97213
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisites: IS-100.c, IS-200.c OR IS-2200, IS-700.b, and IS-800.d
• Registration: Email Brittany_Miller@washingtoncountyor.gov
• Learn More