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Multnomah County Emergency Management Monthly Newsletter
October 2023
Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management (MCEM) compiles this monthly email to provide information related to emergency management activities. If you have content for this newsletter, please submit to em.dutyofficer@multco.us.
Winter is Coming
Street filled with snow lightly plowed
Winter is coming and the MCEM Logistics team has been working tirelessly to ensure response-readiness for this season's severe weather events. Long term exposure to wind, ice, snow or bitter cold temperatures can have devastating medical consequences, and can even cause death. County staff are constantly monitoring weather conditions and when deemed necessary, Disaster Relief Center (DRC) Warming Sites are opened to serve our most vulnerable populations. These may be open overnight only or 24/7.

A critical part of this effort is having a host of supplies staged and ready to provide on-site for shelter guests. Truck-loads of materials are deployed to each site, including: blankets, food and meals, clothing, sleeping surfaces, warming gear, first-aid materials, hygiene supplies, shelter operations supplies and most importantly hot drinks! 
 
The Logistics team has been reaching out to and working with community-based organizations and other local service groups to identify suitable, dependable locations where, when needed, we can stand up sheltering sites offering life-saving services to our unhoused and marginalized community members. If you or someone you know is interested in partnering with Multnomah County to create short term sheltering please visit our website or share this link: Multnomah County Disaster Resource Center Interest Form.

Logistics also leads staffing recruitment efforts for Shelters, Logistics and other Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff along with Passenger Transportation Unit (PTU). Onsite shelter and support roles include Person in Charge (PIC), General Staff, Set Up/Cleaning and Demobilization crews, Protective Flooring Installation, Behavioral Health, Medical Specialist, Logs Drivers and Materials Handlers, PTU Drivers, Ride-Along Navigators and Dispatchers. If you have any questions in regards to staffing, please feel free to email eocadminunit@multco.us.   

Information on sheltering, volunteer training, severe weather planning, cold weather alerts and being personally prepared for winter is available at Multnomah County’s Care For When It’s Cold webpage.
Business Oregon Accepting Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program Applications
Business Oregon's Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) is competitive grant program that provides funding for the seismic rehabilitation of critical public buildings, particularly public schools and emergency services facilities. The SRGP is accepting applications now through 5 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2024. All application forms can be found on the program web page under ‘additional resources.’
MCEM Completes LIFT Bus Training
Several people being trained on how to use a LIFT bus wheelchair lift.
TriMet recently donated two retired LIFT paratransit buses to Multnomah County Emergency Management. These buses have reached the end of their life for TriMet, at more than 10-years old and over 230,000 miles traveled. But they will be a much needed addition to MCEM’s fleet by adding vehicles designed to serve non-ambulatory passengers during severe weather sheltering activations and emergency evacuations.

On September 15th, sixteen county employees (representing MCEM and county emergency support staff with experience in the Passenger Transportation Unit) attended a training to learn how to use the lift, properly secure passengers in wheelchairs, and practice driving these larger than most folk’s day-to-day vehicles. A bonus is that a special driver’s license is not required - anyone can drive these buses with a little bit of training!

We are actively building a Passenger Transportation Unit team to fill winter roles as drivers, ride-along navigators, dispatchers and unit leads. Only Multnomah County or City of Portland staff can drive county vehicles, but there may be opportunities for volunteers to contribute in other roles.   

This is a great way to serve the community and help people who are vulnerable to the weather, especially those with ambulatory needs, get to a warm, dry place. If you are interested in getting more information about unit roles and connecting with program staff, please fill out this online PGT Interest Form.
Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) Training
Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) Volunteers support family members and friends following a suicide, natural or unexpected death; victims of crime; victims of fires; drownings; people involved in motor vehicle accidents; witnesses to crimes and people who are affected by gang and gun violence.

Over a 2-week period, TIP Trainees attend a 60-hour Training Academy by certified TIP National Trainers on Emotional First Aid. After completion of the 2-week academy, Trainees enter into a 3-Month Field Training Program where each Trainee is paired up with a veteran volunteer. At the completion of the Field Training Program, Trainees graduate as TIP Volunteers. This ensures that all volunteers are well prepared and ready to respond to citizens in crisis with confidence and assurance.

The next TIP training will occur beginning November 1st and continue through November 15th. For more information, including registration, visit https://www.tipnw.org/what-you-can-do/training/.
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

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 email em.dutyofficer@multco.us.

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