Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Emergency Management Furlough Days

Emergency Management, along with most other Columbia County offices, will be closed the following days for cost-cutting furlough:

* Friday, July 2, 2010
* Friday, August 20, 2010
* Friday, November 12, 2010
* Thursday, December 23, 2010

We will be able to respond to major emergency requests, but routine business will not occur on these days. If you have questions, please call us at 503-366-3931 or e-mail us at emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us .

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Job Posting: Administrator, Columbia 911

Administrator for Columbia 911 Communications District--application period closes August 31, 2010.

For position and application info, go to www.esci.us .

Monday, June 28, 2010

Oil Spill Response Exercise Tuesday Near Kalama

Private spill response boats and recovery vessels will be deploying oil boom barriers and tracking buoys and other gear in a test of their ability to quickly deploy equipment in the event of an actual oil spill.

No oil will be used for Tuesday's exercise.

The Washington Department of Ecology will test how well several state-regulated companies can implement their oil spill preparedness plans, including coordinating actions and quickly mobilizing equipment to effectively respond to an oil spill.

This planned drill is being conducted by the Marine Spill Response Corp., a private, nonprofit contractor providing oil-spill response services for 20 companies in Washington.

The Columbia River is a particularly challenging location for the exercise. Shifting sediments can make navigation tricky and participants may have to work in swiftly moving water. Oil tankers, fuel barges, and large cargo vessels make more than 2,300 transits a year in the Columbia River

Source: The Daily News (http://tdn.com/news/local/article_545bfd1c-8282-11df-ab07-001cc4c002e0.html)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Aircraft to Make Low-level Flights Over Parts of Washington and Oregon

Aircraft to Make Low-level Flights Over Parts of Washington and Oregon

Washington and Oregon residents should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying aircraft over parts of southern Washington and northern Oregon in late-June through July.

Beginning on June 19th and lasting about six weeks, a fixed-wing aircraft monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will begin collecting and recording geologic measurements over parts of Washington and Oregon.

Scientific equipment is mounted to the aircraft and is designed to map geologic structures beneath the earth. This analysis is part of an ongoing USGS federal research program to identify physical occurrences such as changes in rock types.

The aircraft is controlled by experienced pilots who are specially trained for low-level flying and is operated by Goldak Airborne Surveys, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Editor: In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the USGS is announcing this low-level airborne project. Your assistance in publicizing this information is appreciated.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Free Upcoming Animal Disease Response Training

Announcing a rare training opportunity sponsored by the Columbia County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Commission:

Animal Disease Response Training (AWR-206-1)
Animal Disease Response Training provides the information needed to minimize the effects of animal-centered agricultural emergencies in our community. This course focuses on best practices and safety issues including:

Biosecurity • Quarantine • Personal protective equipment

Euthanasia and disposal • Cleaning and disinfection

Date: Wednesday September 22, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Clatskanie School District Board Room, 555 Southwest Bryant Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016
Cost: Free

This training is specifically geared toward:

Law enforcement
Public health officials
Public works personnel
Agriculture producers and workers
Veterinarian and animal health care providers
Emergency medical services personnel
Emergency management
Elected officials
Firefighters

There will be a break for lunch. You may bring your own lunch or dine locally.
We are working to secure DPSST and Veterinary CEU credit for this course.

Register online at

www.AgPreparedness.org

Click “Register Now”

Friday, June 18, 2010

Murphy of Oregon EM Now FEMA Reg. Admin.

FEMA Administrator Fugate Applauds President Obama's Appointment Of Kenneth Murphy As Regional Administrator
Release Date: June 17, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-119



WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today applauded President Obama's appointment of Kenneth Dean Murphy as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region X, which encompasses Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

"Regional Administrators are crucial to our ability to respond effectively to emergencies based on the needs of the communities we serve," said Fugate. "Kenneth Murphy is an experienced emergency manager who knows the Northwest well and is uniquely qualified to lead our efforts there."

Murphy has served with Oregon Emergency Management since 1999, most recently as the agency's Director. In that role, he was responsible for coordinating preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities with state and local emergency services agencies. He also served on the Oregon Homeland Security Council, Oregon's State Interoperability Executive Council, the Governor's Search and Rescue Policy Commission, and the Governor's Recovery Cabinet, as well as FEMA's National Advisory Council.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

High Columbia River Levels

The Columbia River has been higher than normal as the USACE is letting water out of the dams upstream. There shouldn't be anything to worry about, although the current will be swift and more debris may be in the water. It is expected to crest about 1.5 feet short of minor flood stage at Longview/Rainier. Please let us know if you have questions.

For more information, go to http://weather.gov/portland .
Thanks,

Columbia County Emergency Management
503-366-3931
emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us

Jobs Available: TSA at PDX

For the first time in nearly two years, the Transportation Security Administration will be hiring part-time Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at Portland International Airport (PDX). We are looking for committed, professional individuals to join our team working 20 hours per week, which provides a great opportunity for area residents to begin or continue a career in Federal Service.

We are particularly interested in reaching out to returning troops as their leadership skills are exactly what we’re looking for at TSA. Currently we can only hire from outside the agency into PT TSO positions, however, after 6 months of employment with TSA, all employees have the opportunity to apply for leadership/management positions – at PDX or any other airport across the country.

TSA is one of 22 agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and our mission is to protect the nation’s transportation systems by ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce. The most visible piece of TSA’s responsibilities is the security screening of passengers and their checked luggage at the nation’s airports. TSOs perform a variety of duties related to providing security and protection of air travelers, airports and aircraft. They are responsible for identifying dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and/or on passengers; and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft. Additional information about TSA and the Transportation Security Officer responsibilities can be found at www.tsa.gov.

We have scheduled an information forum during which interested individuals may learn more about opportunities with TSA:

Tuesday, June 29th – 6:00 p.m.

Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel

Mt. Hood Ballroom

8235 NE Airport Way

Portland, Oregon

Thank you for your assistance.

Tina

Tina A. Burke

Stakeholder & Customer Service Manager for Oregon

Transportation Security Administration

Portland International Airport (PDX)

#503.889.3055 - office

Job Available: Portland UASI Program Manager

Regional Disaster Preparedness Sr. Program Manager, Portland Urban Area Security Initiative

Approximate Monthly Salary: $6,184- $8,238

The Position

In 2008, the City of Portland contracted with CH2MHill to assist in assessing how the Portland Urban Area (PUA) approaches disaster preparedness and to make recommendations for a more cohesive, integrated and efficient organization structure to coordinate regional all-hazards disaster preparedness. The project engaged public and private stakeholders from throughout the City of Portland and the five surrounding counties (Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties in Oregon and Clark County in Washington) in the development of a governance model (Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization) that would establish a coalition of agencies to assure that all-hazard disaster preparedness efforts are efficiently coordinated and effectively integrated within the PUA. The Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization Program Manager will guide the development of, and transition to, a new organizational structure for regional disaster preparedness coordination; provide support to the organization; facilitate development and successful implementation of coordinated regional disaster preparedness strategies, work plans, projects and initiatives; provide for sound financial and grant management; coordinate the work of other regional staff funded by the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant; lead organizational change efforts; and build and maintain strong relationships with and between RDPP committees and stakeholders. The Senior Program Manager is expected to carry out individual responsibilities with initiative, independence and creativity while exercising sound professional judgment and problem-solving skills. This is a grant funded two-year limited term position. Persons appointed to limited term positions will be designated as limited duration employees whose appointment shall not exceed two (2) years except for the extension of grants or funding from outside sources.

To Qualify

Applicants must possess and specifically address in a cover letter and resume the following

  • Knowledge of operating principles, practices and procedures of public administration for agencies such as police, fire, and emergency response
  • Knowledge of advanced principles, practices, tools and techniques of program planning and management
  • Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of budget development and management
  • Knowledge of methods and techniques of public outreach including community organizing, partnership and relationship building with a variety of stakeholders
  • Ability to analyze difficult and complex program, administrative, operational and organizational objectives and issues, evaluate alternatives and reach sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations
More at: http://www.portlandonline.com/bhr/jobs/58/Regional-Disaster-Preparedness-Sr-Program-Manager

Job Available: Multnomah County EM

Please distribute. Interested applicants can find the full announcement and application at http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/jobs/

THE POSITION
Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management is seeking applications for a limited duration Regional Planner. This position is expected to last up to two years. This position will be open until filled. First review of applications will occur during the week of June 14, 2010.

Multnomah County Emergency Management (MCEM) anticipates and responds effectively to emergencies with compassion, equity, transparency, efficiency, diligence and collaboration. MCEM leads Multnomah County efforts to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from all emergencies, disasters and operational interruptions. This office reports directly to the County Chair and receives administrative support from the Department of County Management.

The Regional Planner will assist the five counties (Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Clark County, Washington) and City of Portland Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdictions with implementation of UASI grant programs, projects and requirements as well as to more broadly enhance emergency preparedness across the region. The incumbent will work with representatives from districts and jurisdictions within the County and other counties to develop and maintain plans and procedures used to prevent, protect, respond and recover from emergencies and disasters. This position also assists in the development of Federal emergency management grant applications and implements grant-funded projects for the UASI region.

To Qualify:

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible emergency management work for a municipal, state or federal government agency, AND;
Training: 1) Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with major course work in management, emergency management, public or business administration or a related field; 2) knowledge of current Emergency Management principles, concepts, best practices and procedures related to preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation; AND;
Other: 1) Requires the ability to pass a criminal background check;






Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Hazardous Weather Outlook--June 2, 2010

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
434 AM PDT WED JUN 2 2010

ORZ003>014-WAZ019-020-022-023-039-040-031315-
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA-
GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-
SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE-
NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES-
CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY-
UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-WILLAPA HILLS-I-
5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-
434 AM PDT WED JUN 2 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST
OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

HEAVY RAIN AT TIMES TODAY MAY LEAD TO SMALL STREAMS AND URBAN
AREAS TO EXPERIENCE MINOR FLOODING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.