The Great Oregon Shakeout is tomorrow!!!

ShakeOut History and Purpose

With nearly 4 million people living and working in Oregon, a major earthquake could cause unprecedented devastation. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what out lives will be like afterward. With earthquakes an inevitable part of Oregon’s future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do no become catastrophes.

The Great ShakeOut was created in Southern California in November 2008 and involved nearly 5.5 million Californians through a broad-based out reach program, media partnerships, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. In early 2009 the decision was made to hold the drill statewide annually on the third Thursday of October. Oregon will be joining them in October of 2011.

A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared. The result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes). ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved.

Not just any drill will accomplish this. It needs to be big. It must inspire communities to come together. It must involve children at school and parents at work, prompting conversations at home. It must allow every organization, city, etc., to make it their own event. That’s why we are starting with just one County – it is a learning experience for us too.

To participate, go to www.Shakeout.org/Oregon and pledge your family, school, business, government agency or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that participants registers (so they can be counted and receive communications), and at the minimum practice “drop, cover, and hold on” at the specified time. It is only a commitment of a few minutes for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone.

Take one minute to practice something that might save your life.

KOIN on Tornado in Aumsville

KOIN 6 has a report on the tornado that touched down in Aumsville.

A tornado touched down in the city of Aumsville, officials said.

The city is 12.2 miles southeast of Salem, and one administrator said city officials saw the tornado coming...

...The National Weather Service said some citizens are trapped inside cars because of downed power lines, but no officials have reported injuries yet. Hills said the tornado lasted from 11:40 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

You can read the story here.

Salem Wins Floodplain Management Recognition

Already a Bargain, Salem Residents to Pay Even Less for Flood Insurance

» 2010 Region X News Releases


SALEM, Ore. – City of Salem residents are about to pay even less for flood insurance, as a direct result of their community’s continued active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, they’ll not only qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums, but enjoy reduced vulnerability to flood hazards as well.

"The CRS rewards communities for implementing programs and policies which protect their citizens from floods. Such activities can range from mapping, regulations and flood damage reduction to flood preparedness and public awareness programs," said Hunsinger. "Salem's high regulatory standards, public education outreach and elevation certificate initiatives have earned a CRS Class 7 rating."

Flood insurance premium reductions resulting from qualifying community activities run in five percent increments, from five to 45 percent. Class ratings range from Ten to One. The higher the flood protection activity, the lower the Class rating. Total NFIP coverage in Salem is over $221 million, with average annual premiums of $848. With 1,042 policies currently in force within the city limits, that’s an average savings of around $112 per policy.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

ATTENTION NEWS ROOMS: FEMA Region X Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont will present the City of Salem with an official CRS plaque Monday, 22 March 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 555 Liberty Street SE in Salem. Contact: Sara Jondahl (503) 588-6211.

Warming Center to Open in Salem

Red Cross responds to need for emergency sheltering of vulnerable

Salem, OR December 9, 2009 — Volunteers with the Willamette Chapter of the American Red Cross are opening a Warming Center in Salem tonight to help shelter people from the cold weather. The site for the Warming Center will be at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall located at 630 Hood St NE in Salem. Hours of operation will be 9:00 pm to 7:00 am tonight and 7:00 pm to 7:00 am on Thursday and Friday. Weekend hours to be determined based on need.

People who need to stay at the Center will be offered warm beverages and bread each evening and breakfast each morning. Cots and blankets along with basic hygiene items will also be available.

Dogs and cats will be accepted with their owners, however must be crated (provided at shelter) for the duration of their stay, with the exception of exercise breaks outside the Center. Limited food and water for the pets will be provided.

Public calls about the Center may be made to the Red Cross Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. After hours calls should be made to 503-881-2874. Media inquires should be made to Margaret A. Sanner at 503-508-0688.

Oregon Wireless interoperability Network (OWIN)

From Bill Gallagher, Public Affairs for the OWIN Project

Before the first snows fall on Oregon’s mountains, technical crews are hustling to
pave the way for completion of an improved public safety radio system that will eventually benefit emergency responders in all 36 of the state’s counties.

Meanwhile in Salem, engineers and project managers are planning and implementing one of the most far-reaching public works projects in the state’s history.

Welcome to OWIN, the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network. This is the ambitious project launched in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As we saw that day when firefighters were trapped in the second of the World Trade Center towers, first responders must be able to communicate with each other across jurisdictional lines. Had those FDNY firefighters only known what the NYPD knew – that Tower Two was ready to collapse – hundreds of lives might have been saved.

While here in Oregon there’s not been an incident nearly as catastrophic as what happened that day, there have been times when aging, incompatible emergency radio networks have frustrated efforts to save lives and protect property. Emergency communications systems were crippled and most contact was lost with communities in Clatsop and Columbia counties during the storms of December 2007. Top Off, a major emergency preparedness drill in Portland that same year, demonstrated weaknesses in communications among responders from different agencies responding to a simulated terrorist attack..

While OWIN has been a long time coming, with the support of Governor Ted Kulongoski the Legislature has now approved a major investment to build the microwave infrastructure for a new, trunked radio system which will eliminate the barriers to radio communication that exist between agencies. Faced with the fact that 80% of the state’s current emergency communications system has to be replaced or re-built, these leaders have made a commitment to the citizens of Oregon and the men and women who protect their lives and property.

Between now and January 1, 2013, towers and buildings on hundreds of mountaintop sites across the state will be built or re-built as the backbone of the OWIN system. Beginning in 2011, a new radio system will be built for the Oregon State Police, the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of Corrections. Emergency responders with cities, counties, special districts, tribal governments and the federal government will have the opportunity to become part of this enhanced radio system.

Right now, an architecture and engineering firm is conducting site surveys across the state. By next month OWIN will have hired a construction management and general contracting firm to oversee the monumental task of installing the buildings and erecting the towers that are the infrastructure of the new radio system.

To follow the progress of the OWIN Project or to learn more about OWIN, you can check out the website at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/OWIN/. If you’d like to be included on the OWIN mailing list for regular updates on the project’s progress, e mail OWIN Public Affairs Manager Bill Gallagher at bill.j.gallagher@state.or.us