Resources for Distribution
Disaster Response, Recovery, and Resilience Resources for Community Distribution
BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER DISASTER
Navigate to a resource by topic:
Resilience Resources
These are actions communities and individuals can take before a disaster to prepare and promote safer outcomes during a disaster.
Learn and educate prior to a disaster event:
-
Learn Oregon’s three levels of evacuation: Be Ready (Level One); Be Set (Level Two); GO NOW! (Level Three). The link includes downloadable graphics for each Level.
Educational Factsheets in multiple languages relating to health and disaster, air quality, and more
Learn First Aid Skills by taking a class, or reviewing best practices from a trusted source
Review your insurance and create a home inventory
Stay informed of Fire Danger in your area and areas you travel.
-
Be 2 Weeks Ready: Create an emergency supply kit that includes food, water, medications, and essential supplies
Create a Go Bag: Build a Kit (Ready.gov); or Build a Kit on a Budget
Print out an evacuation checklist ahead of time and store it somewhere easy to find (on the fridge, or with the Go Bag). Here is a Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
Follow this link to view an evacuation check list for a person with special health care needs. (Spanish version)
OEM’s “Stay Plugged In: Keep Medical Devices Running During Outages” - Info, Financial Assistance, and Resources
-
Creating Defensible Space is a proactive way of protecting neighborhoods and property. Learn best practices to keep your home and property safer from wildfire with the following resources:
Local Assessment Providers can be found here.
-
Stay informed: Sign up for OR-Alerts at oralert.gov
Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts and the State of Oregon’s dashboards here and here
-
Outdoor debris burning, or backyard debris burning, is the leading reason for human-caused wildland fires in Oregon, responsible for about 225 fires each year. Members of the public that engage in prohibited burning may be liable for wildfire suppression costs, which can reach millions of dollars per fire.
Oregonians are encouraged to visit Before You Burn or download their mobile app, prior to lighting any debris piles, regardless of the size.“The Before You Burn system is an online platform that allows community members to report and manage their outdoor burns and receive real-time updates on burn status and weather conditions.”
This website provides information and guidance for specific locations around the state, such as allowable burn dates, local and state regulations, and registration or permitting requirements. This resource is a multi-jurisdiction technical tool developed by ODF and other fire protection and air quality partners.Burn Debris Safely: This short video contains “tips and best practices provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry to ensure your safety and protection of your property, and your neighbors.”
Find your fire district, and an additional video on debris burning safety tips.
If your controlled burn is part of an industrial forest operation for slash treatment, visit ODF’s Forest Activity and Electronic Reporting System (FERNS).
-
Note: Some of the information in these webinars may be relevant under Response and Recovery also, but being multi-hour webinars we’ve included them as an educational resilience tool.
Visit this webpage for access to these free webinars in languages other than English.
Visite esta pagina de web para acceder a estos webinars gratuitos en otros idiomas.
Per OEM: “Each spring, OEM hosts the Communities Prepared for Disasters webinar: a free, two-part educational series focusing on the needs and concerns of a specific community when it comes to preparing for and recovering from disasters.
These free webinars are developed in collaboration with local, county, state, Tribal, and community partners and open to organizations, community groups, faith-based organizations, emergency management professionals, and anyone interested in community preparedness.
These sessions will be hosted in English with Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, and Ukrainian translation with ASL interpretation and CART real-time captioning in English.”
Communities Prepared for Disasters: Older Adults - Session 1
How emergency managers and organizations supporting older adults can work together to prepare for disasters, emergency planning with considerations for evacuation assistance, durable medical equipment, and sheltering needs, and emergency alerts and how to sign up.
Communities Prepared for Disasters: Older Adults - Session 2
Medication guidance for disasters, scams to be aware of post-disaster and how to navigate misinformation, and the importance of care for mental health during disasters and ways to combat social isolation.
Communities Prepared for Disasters: Rural Communities - Session 1
In this session, attendees will learn: How disasters impact communication channels and ways to stay informed; how to know when to evacuate and what to do when you can't; what types of backup power sources exist and how to know which one is best for your needs
Communities Prepared for Disasters: Rural Communities - Session 2
In this session, attendees will learn: How the recovery process is funded and what it means; what to know to set up for a smoother recovery; the impact of long-term recovery groups and how to get involved
Response Resources
During a disaster, accessing information can be life or death and time of the essence. Provide this list of resources to communities in crisis.
-
Know Oregon’s three levels of evacuation: Be Ready (Level One); Be Set (Level Two); GO NOW! (Level Three).
What to do, what to pack, how to prepare - if you have time. Prioritized tips for every stage here.
If not already signed up for alerts, do so NOW at the state and local levels
Sign up for OR-Alerts at oralert.gov
Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts or the State of Oregon’s dashboards here and here
While it will differ by location, local sheriff and fire department social media accounts are usually the best source for the most up to date information.
Monitor Air Quality: Air Quality - Air Now and at Oregon Smoke Information
-
First Aid (always seek advice from a medical professional where possible)
Disaster Distress Hotline - No cost, confidential crisis support in any language. Call or text 800-985-5990.
Oregon Health Authority: National and Oregon-based crisis resources
Emergency Refills from a Pharmacy Post-Evacuation | (Spanish version)
Extension and Mental Health Resiliency During Times of Disaster and Recovery
Recovery Resources
Need will look very different across the timeline of a recovery phase.
-
-
JCC Long Term Recovery Group: Standards of Community Care
Resource List (Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management) - Includes Insurance and Disaster Assistance information
Advice for Returning to a Home that Survived a Wildfire (DEQ)
After the Fire: Cleaning Up Fire Retardant and Fire Suppressants (DEQ)
Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide | Mesothelioma Symptoms
Explore Disaster Assistance SBA loans
Consider Home Hardening and Defensible Space when rebuilding
-
Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can manifest after a disaster has occurred, and other distressing mental health issues may manifest after a person is out of “survival mode” and is again physically safe. These resources remain relevant throughout the recovery process.
Learn about the phases of PTSD reactions here, and visit this webpage to learn about common reactions after disaster in adults and children so that you can identify symptoms if they manifest in your community.
Disaster Distress Hotline - No cost, confidential crisis support in any language. Call or text 800-985-5990.
Oregon Health Authority: National and Oregon-based crisis resources
Extension and Mental Health Resiliency During Times of Disaster and Recovery
-
Often needs are not assessed until the recovery phase, and it is an opportune time to remind communities and groups about the Oregon Disaster Funders Network (ODFN), through which they can share a need (financial or otherwise) with 30+ funders throughout the state, via this short webform
Extreme Heat Resources
“Heat is the most dangerous of all weather-related hazards. If you understand why, you can better understand now to stay safe.” Visit PublicAlerts.org/heat for more information, including cooling center locations, first aid for heat illness, and more.
-
NWS HeatRisk Tool for monitoring heat forecasts and warnings
-
Full playlist of Extreme Heat ASL videos (PublicAlerts.org)
Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist (American Red Cross)
Beat the Heat (Educational flyer, OHA)
Portland’s Extreme Heat Webpage, with general and localized information
OSHA Resources on Heat Illness Prevention, including the OSHA’s Heat Stress Card (English/Spanish), and Oregon OSHA’s permanent rules for heat illness prevention
Heatwave Resources via Care Oregon, including ways to keep yourself and your house cool and planning for extreme heat
-
Oregon Health Authority’s webpage sharing extreme heat warning signs and symptoms, health threats, and fact sheets in multiple languages.
Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke (Educational flyer, OHA)
Flood Resources
-
From Ready.gov:
Find safe shelter right away.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
Depending on the type of flooding:
Evacuate if told to do so.
Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
Stay where you are.
-
View FEMA’s Flood Hazard Info Sheet.
Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to know types of flood risk in your area.
Use the Oregon HazVu: Statewide Geohazards Viewer to see if your home could be impacted by flooding.
Check out the National Weather Service TADD campaign for information on safe driving practices during floods.
Sign up for emergency alerts so you know if you need to evacuate. You can sign up at oralert.gov.
Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic soda bottles with clean water. Sanitize the sinks and tubs first by using bleach. Rinse and fill with clean water.
-
Gather emergency supplies and stay tuned to your local radio or television station for updates.
If travel is necessary, check road conditions at the Department of Transportation's TripCheck website.
Check out the interactive map of river conditions from the National Weather Service.
For the latest non-emergency flood information you can check out 211info's emergency management page or dial 211 toll-free from any phone.
Follow the Oregon Office of Emergency Management Twitter feed for the latest updates.
Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary.
Bring outdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside or tie them down securely.
-
For debris and hazardous materials management watch for messages from local officials, local waste management and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
View the National Flood Insurance Program Flood Insurance Claims Checklist, from Ready.gov.
The Oregon Food Bank food finder tool can help you find help in your area.
Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
-
“What To Do When Your Water Source is Flooded”(Spanish version)
“Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency” (Spanish version)
Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (Spanish version)
“What to Wear Before Entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage” (Spanish version)
Disability Resources
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that cities, counties, the state and the federal government take into account what the needs are of people with disabilities, and provide accommodations for those needs when engaging in disaster planning.
Call or text the Disability and Disaster Hotline at 1-800-626-4959 for assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs. Available in languages other than English.
-
Upstream Access - “A cross-disability community committed to supporting the resilience of fellow disabled people in Oregon and Southwest Washington.”
The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies - “Disability-led organization with a focused mission of equity for people with disabilities and people with access and functional needs throughout all planning, programs, services and procedures before, during and after disasters and emergencies.” Their resources page has information on disability rights, filing a civil rights complaint, personal evacuation planning, and more.
Additionally, there is information for emergency managers, public health officials, and first responders, including general disability tips, considerations for inclusive planning, transit evacuation planning, and more.
-
Wheelchair Charging Station - A prototype location tool for wheelchair charging stations, which started in Southern Oregon.
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities - An OHSU resource hub for preparing for an emergency, including basic information, types of disasters, and ways to prepare. Also includes Preparedness Toolkits for those with disabilities, available in English and Spanish.
Tips around disaster preparedness for those with service animals.
Disability Rights Oregon - General emergency preparedness tips for those with disabilities, and instructions on how to contact the Red Cross Disability Integration Team in case of evacuation. This team advocates, connects, and “can help with physical accessibility issues at shelters, communication needs that aren't being met, or if you're having trouble accessing durable medical equipment through Red Cross's Disaster Health Services. [It also] helps evacuees staying at any type of Red Cross evacuation placement, including, hotels, motels and shelters.”
Oregon Fires Disaster General Disability Integration:
Email: DR568-21DI@redcross.org
Phone (voice & text): 510-712-3796Ready.gov has a page dedicated to emergency preparedness for people with disabilities
To learn more about activated disasters and specific funding needs, please contact us.
Sign up for updates from Oregon Disaster Funders Network.