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NOTICE:
The International Emergency Management Society's Transportation Saftey and Security Workshop Janurary 28-29th 2003
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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and
Risk Management
Crisis and Emergency Management
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NOTICE: The ICDRM's monthly emergency managment forum, held at the GWU |
| December
2002
Volume 3 - Number 3 |
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Links:
Current events
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Oregon’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Manual
Falah Al-Mahan
The state of Oregon throughout its history has been the place of many natural disasters due to its special environment and geological factors. Because of these reasons, talking about disaster becomes a daily issue for many people. With these concerns in mind, the Oregon government conducted many research studies to find possible solutions or to reduce losses. As a result of these studies, two kinds of Natural Hazards Mitigation manuals were developed. One was based on the environment and one was based on community. Using Disaster Mitigation Grants through FEMA, The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development in August of 2000 announced the availability of a new resource called “Oregon Technical Resource Guide”. This new planning tool is designed to help local governments strengthen the natural hazards element of their comprehensive land use plans by providing information on how to identify, plan for and implement programs to address floods, landslides, wildfire, seismic and coastal hazards. It is designed to be a useful tool for city clerks, planners, emergency managers, planning commissioners, elected officials and community residents. It provides information for communities to help implement both regulatory and non-regulatory programs to minimize the impact of natural hazards. In addition to this technical tool, another Disaster Mitigation manual has been developed by the Oregon Emergency Management Officials to assist anyone providing disaster safety information to the public including emergency managers, meteorologists, teachers, disaster and fire educators, public affairs personnel, mitigation specialists, media personnel, and/or any other person in the severe-weather, earthquake, disaster, or communications communities. Believing that Mitigation should start in the family home, Planners provided family disaster preparedness in five easy steps that each family should follow: 1. DISCUSS the disasters most likely to happen in Oregon and their impact on your family's safety. Hazards in our area include home fires, severe winter weather and storms, earthquake, flooding, and hazardous materials threats. 2. TRAIN all family members. Take first aid classes. Learn to use a fire extinguisher and how to shut off utilities. Do not take the chance that the only person who knows first aid or how to turn off the natural gas will be at home when needed. 3. ASSEMBLE your disaster supplies into a personal 72-hour emergency preparedness kit. This would include food, water, clothing and medications to last you at least 72 hours. You need a kit for EACH family member. 4. IDENTIFY in and out of state emergency names and numbers and provide copies to each family member. Post a copy near your phone and put copies in your 72-hour kit. When local phone service is out, family members can use their out of state contact to relay messages. 5. MAINTAIN your readiness. Review your disaster preparedness plan with your family at least once a year. Identify what new training, equipment or supplies you may need. Conduct fire evacuation and earthquake "duck, cover and hold" drills with your family. For more information, visit the following websites: http://www.lcd.state.or.us/hazhtml/Guidehome.htm http://www.lcd.state.or.us/hazapdfs/01_cpr.pdf http://www.lcd.state.or.us/hazhtml/contents.htm http://hazards.metro-region.org/mapoptix_hazards/adobe_docs/guide-main.pdf |