Emergency Management

The City of Lake Oswego Emergency Management Program is responsible for planning, preparing, and providing for the prevention, mitigation and management of emergencies or disasters that present a threat to the lives and property of citizens of Lake Oswego. This includes coordinating and facilitating emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

On-going projects to strengthen the City's emergency management capabilities include updating the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.

The Emergency Operations Plan, adopted by Resolution 10-77 on December 14, 2010, establishes guidance for the City's actions during response to, and short term recovery from, major emergencies and disasters. The EOP describes the roles and responsibilities of City departments and personnel when an incident occurs, and it establishes a strategy and operating guidelines that support the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS). The EOP consists of what is called the Basic Plan that goes through each of these roles and is supported by 15 separate Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) which are very specific in their focus.

Christchurch_earthquake_022211_photo_by_Mark_Baker_AP

In 2011, we saw incredible devastation caused by earthquakes around the world - the 9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan as well as numerous magnitude 6 or greater earthquakes in Argentina, Chile, Pakistan, New Zealand and China.

The earthquake that occured in Japan in March 2011 was similar to the one that could hit Oregon – a subduction zone earthquake. The Cascadia Subduction Zone - where the descending Juan de Fuca plate is pushed under the less dense North American plate - poses the most significant earthquake threat. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, which runs off the coast from Northern California to British Columbia, could produce an earthquake up to magnitude 8.0 or 9.0. An earthquake of this size would cause enormous damage to the coast and large portions of Western Oregon.

While there is currently no reliable scientific means to predict earthquakes, much of the damage caused by earthquakes is predictable and preventable. Here are a few tips on how you can prepare for an earthquake:

Some people think it is not worth preparing for an earthquake or a tsunami because whether you survive or not is up to chance. NOT SO! Most Oregon buildings will survive even a large earthquake, and so will you, especially if you follow the simple guidelines in the Living On Shaky Ground handbook and start preparing today. If you know how to recognize the warning signs of a tsunami and understand what to do, you will survive that too—but you need to know what to do ahead of time!

This handbook will help you prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis in Oregon. It explains how you can prepare for, survive, and recover from them. It also describes what you can do today to save lives, reduce injuries, and minimize damage.

Photo: Joplin, MO, after a tornado hit the southwest Missouri city on May 22, 2011. Photo by Mike Gullett / AP.

3 Steps to Preparedness

A disaster or emergency can happen at any time. Taking these simple steps can make a big difference in ensuring your safety and well-being and that of your loved ones.

Get a kit.

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

Make a plan.

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

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Be informed.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.

However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.

The Red Cross's Together We Prepare booklet will guide you through the steps you and your family need to take to be self-sufficient for the first three days after a major disaster. By taking these steps, you’ll be able to respond safely and with confidence in a variety of emergency situations.

How quickly your company can get back to business after a fire, flood, a pandemic flu or other emergency often depends on emergency planning done today.

Business continuity and crisis management can be complex issues depending on the particular industry, size and scope of your business. However, putting a plan in motion will improve the likelihood that your company will survive and recover.

Everyone faces the risk of natural disaster and no plan to protect property can be complete without insurance coverage against potential damage and loss. It is important to know exactly what coverage you may need and what coverage is available to protect your property against all of the natural hazards it may be exposed to so that you are not underinsured or not insured at all. Check with your insurance company or local insurance agent.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are groups of citizens trained to be first responders in the event of serious community disaster. Training includes fighting small fires, victim search and rescue, and learning disaster medicine and psychology.

Over 500 local citizens and City employees have received CERT training through the Fire Department.

CERT training prepares participants in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members will be able to better help themselves, their family and their neighborhood in the event of a disaster.

CERT training, hosted by Lake Oswego Fire Department, is offered in the spring and fall. For more information about CERT Training, please call the Lake Oswego Fire Department at 503-635-0275 or click: CERT

Facilitated and supported by the Lake Oswego Fire Department, the formation of the volunteer radio operators group provides the City a backup communication system. This tertiary system will connect the Lake Oswego Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Fire Stations, Police, Public Works, and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in the field. In addition, ARES communicate with Clackamas County’s EOC, the State’s EOC, hospitals, and the National Guard. The radio group can be activated by City's EOC or self-activate during major emergencies.