Emergency Management

June 2023 Washington County Regional Shelter Exercise at the HMT Complex

Welcome to THPRD Emergency Management. Our goal is to minimize the impacts of major emergencies and disasters on the community. We do this by coordinating and facilitating the district’s ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against those disasters and emergencies. From natural hazards like winter storms and earthquakes to manmade hazards such as environmental incidents and wildfires, THPRD stands ready with our community to address our challenges.

December | Winter Ready!

Winter storms can range from moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, ice, sleet, and freezing rain. We want everyone to be #WinterReady -- know your winter weather risk, be fire safe, travel with supplies and caution, and take steps now to prepare.

Before a winter storm hits:
• Download free smartphone apps, such as those available from FEMA and the American Red Cross, which provide information about finding warming shelters, providing first aid, and seeking assistance for recovery.
• Be prepared for a power outage and for roads to become difficult to traverse.
• Ensure your medications are stocked and you are able to safely remain in your home.
• Install battery operated carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
• Be prepared to bring your pets/animals inside in the event of a winter storm. Move animals and livestock to a sheltered area with non-frozen drinking water.

During a winter storm:
• Keep your windows covered and insulated to keep heat in.
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to keep food from going bad.
• Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
• Listen to alerts on a radio or via your cell phone if you still have service
• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• Know where warming shelters are located in case cold is extreme and you can't heat your home.

While traveling:
• Check your local weather and traffic reports before heading out.
• Have a point of contact who knows your route and anticipated arrival time and ask them to check in.
• Keep an emergency supply kit in the trunk with supplies to keep you fed and warm.
• If stranded, run the engine for about 10 minutes per hour to run the heater and charge your cellphone. Open a window slightly to let fresh air in and avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning

Learn more at ready.gov by clicking here.

Hazard Mitigation
We are a part of the Washington County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan assesses hazards and vulnerabilities in our community and sets an action plan for how we will reduce risks and improve our resilience. We support the implementation of this plan, monitor its progress, and maintain the THPRD annex to the plan.

Training and Exercises
We participate in local, regional, and in-house training to help response and support personnel and volunteers learn what to do during emergencies. We also use exercises to test our plans and help us identify areas for improvement.

Recovery
We work with city, county, and state agencies, and community-based organizations to help restore and rebuild the community and help individuals, families, and businesses recover from disasters. Specifically, THPRD provides disaster shelter spaces, resource center spaces, points of distribution for essential supplies, and support for neighborhood-based temporary gathering spaces.

Planning and Preparedness
We maintain and update emergency plans that help us respond quickly to protect lives, property and the environment. We also develop policies and procedures and organize responders and resources to ensure we are prepared to implement our plans.

Emergency Operations
We help manage the district’s response to major emergencies and disasters. As incidents worsen, we may activate the THPRD Emergency Operations Center to coordinate a unified and efficient response on behalf of district patrons.

Weather Watch
In September 2023, THPRD was designated by the National Weather Service as a “Storm Ready” community. This designation encourages communities to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations through proper planning, creating weather monitoring and notification systems, and the promotion of public readiness.

National Weather Service-Portland

Community Outreach and Education
We educate our community members on how to improve their preparedness by getting informed, making a plan, building a kit, and working with their neighbors.

Emergency Management

December | Winter Ready!

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