Sparking Wildfire Resiliency Efforts

While we’ve been enjoying the warm, sunny days of summer, this stretch of weather also brings the not-so-welcome wildfire season. CIS encourages our members to think Firewise and build resilience now — before disaster strikes. Taking proactive measures to prepare facilities, properties and staff, we offer the following recommendations to prevent devastating wildfires from impacting your community.

Preparing Facilities and Property

A significant component of wildfire resiliency begins with preparing facilities and properties for wildfire exposures to prevent losses. CIS has developed a helpful Wildfire Facility and Properties Preparedness Checklist to reduce common exposure areas meant to mitigate fire fuels and create defensible space. Just as we did last year, CIS will provide our members with another round of reimbursable wildfire grants this fiscal year. Wildfire grants support those categories found within the CIS wildfire preparedness checklist, so that members can make necessary resiliency improvements.

Preparing Staff at Work

Disaster readiness also includes preparing staff to respond to an emergency event, such as those occurring from wildfires. Having an updated Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) will help an organization continue to provide essential functions, services, and capabilities necessary for navigating a major event or significant disruption until regular operations can be restored. CIS provides this sample COOP Guide for use in developing a plan. An IT Recovery Plan is also recommended.

The Department of Emergency Management encourages use of the Veoci software to prepare a COOP. The service is free to use by state, local and tribal governments. To access the Veoci platform and request a login, visit: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emresources/plans_assessments/coop/pages/veoci.aspx.

Before finalizing your continuity plans, be sure to coordinate with local county emergency managers to discuss partnership and resource-sharing connections to expand response efforts. Train staff on the COOP by using different tabletop exercises to explore responses and identify any gaps that should be addressed in case a wildfire or other disaster occurs. If you need assistance constructing a COOP, IT Recovery Plan, or Tabletop Exercise, please contact CIS Senior Risk and Emergency Management Consultant Katie Durfee.

CIS provides many wildfire resources through the CIS Website. Resources include a sample IT Recovery Plan, COOP Planning resources, “Be 2 Weeks Ready” and other common types of disaster-related documents. These helpful materials explain how to support and initiate the disaster declaration process, manage spontaneous volunteers and donations, contact Red Cross to set-up shelters, effectively communicate during a time of crisis, and safe handling of hazardous debris removal. Wildfire resources are available on the CIS website for members after logging in. This site also includes a link to the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Page for even more wildfire community resources.

Oregon OSHA also requires your staff to be trained on heat and wildfire smoke exposures. There are courses on both topics available through the CIS Learning Center. Workers outside during the heat of summer days should also include sun protection in their list of personal protective equipment. This reduces their exposure to skin cancer which often goes unrecognized as an occupational hazard. Finally, train on the wildfire emergency alert system, so that staff are familiar with the varying evacuation levels — Get Ready, Get Set, Go Now. Encourage staff and their families to sign up for the OR-Alert emergency alert notification tool, and be sure they have access to mental health resources.

Disaster events can be physically and mentally draining, stressful, traumatic and often overwhelming. CIS offers many mental wellness benefits. If you haven’t reviewed your wellness benefits recently, reach out to our Benefits team to learn more about options available.

Preparing Work Teams at Home

Being able to focus and respond to a wildfire or disaster starts with preparedness at home. According to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) once a disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed. That’s why individuals, families and communities should take steps to “Be 2 Weeks Ready.” Being 2 Weeks Ready means having an emergency plan and enough supplies for you and everyone in your household to survive for at least two weeks following a disaster.

The Be 2 Weeks Ready program is designed to help individuals start where they’re at and build self-reliance and community preparedness step by step. The program’s toolkit offers plans for preparing to prepare, developing emergency plans, securing food, water, waste and hygiene solutions, shelter, first-aid and emergency management tools. This wildfire evacuation checklist along with the Be 2 Weeks Ready toolkit also includes engaging activities to enhance your readiness and understanding.

Activities can be completed alone, or in a group, and they would make an excellent topic for an upcoming monthly or quarterly safety meeting.

September is National Preparedness Month. Being ready for the next wildfire or emergency event supports a more efficient and expedited response. Take steps now to prepare staff and add a layer of protection for your facilities and property. CIS supports our members and the Department of Emergency Management’s efforts in “Oregon Rising Stronger Together,” knowing that understanding what to do before, during, and after a wildfire can empower you to act. Simple steps taken today can make a big difference in keeping yourself, your loved ones, and your community safe.

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What is OR-Alert?

OR-Alert is a statewide system to receive alerts, warnings, and notifications (AWN), enabling real-time sharing of hazard information across Oregon’s 36 counties and tribal governments. This technology allows county emergency managers to access notification tools, including FEMA’s Integrated Alerts and Warnings System (IPAWS), which can issue messages to all cell phones in a geographic area. Visit oralert.gov to sign-up for alerts in your Oregon county.