What we do
Hazard mitigation
We maintain the County's 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 and monitor its progress.
Training and exercises
We put on 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 state, federal and local agencies and community-based organizations to help restore and rebuild the community and help individuals, families, and businesses recover from disasters.
Planning and preparedness
We maintain emergency plans that help us respond quickly to protect lives, property and the environment. Visit our Plans and Agreements page for examples. 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 County's response to major emergencies and disasters. As incidents worsen, we’ll activate the County Emergency Operations Center to coordinate a unified and efficient response among law enforcement, public health, human services, public works, fire, EMS and other responders.
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. Interested in having us participate at your event and provide educational materials? Complete our Emergency Preparedness Community Event Request Form.
Our team
Emergency Management has seven full-time and one part-time staff members:
- John Wheeler, Emergency Management Manager
- Brittany Miller, Emergency Management Supervisor
- David Gassaway, Emergency Management Coordinator
- Alita Fitz, Emergency Management Coordinator
- Aaron Fox, Emergency Management Coordinator
- Courtney Yan, EMC Emergency Management Coordinator
- Mike Hintz, LUT Emergency Management Coordinator
- Laura Repass, Administrative Assistant
- Scott Porter, Senior Management Analyst
Emergency Management Cooperative (EMC)
The County is a member of the Emergency Management Cooperative (EMC) of Washington County. EMC members work together on emergency planning and preparedness projects that integrate emergency response and recovery across the many jurisdictions and organizations within Washington County.
Our partners
Our program works closely with several local, regional, state and non-governmental organizational partners. We work together to create integrated, coordinated and standardized plans, procedures and policies. Among others, these partners include:
Local
Regional
- Cities Readiness Initiative
- Northwest Oregon Health Preparedness Organization
- Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO)
- Regional Water Providers Consortium
State
- Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
- Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
- Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
- Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)
Location
Emergency Management
Suite 241, MS 30
Hillsboro, Oregon 97123