The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is calling on residents throughout the state to have their say in the development of emergency management strategies. On February 11, 2024, Oregonians will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual town hall aimed at gathering public input on the agency's strategic and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) plans.
This town hall represents the second annual event of its kind and serves as a platform for community members, with or without emergency management background, to voice their opinions and suggestions. The plans are part of OEM's larger effort to shape their services around the needs of all Oregon's communities and, as they announced, the feedback collected will directly influence the state's approach to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery to ensure it equally serves and protects all residents before, during, and after disasters.
According to an official statement from the Oregon Newsroom, the focus will be on the agency's 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM IDEA plan, with the aim to enhance customer service and build a resilient state through inclusive policies. Accessibility is a key concern for the department, and accommodations such as closed captioning will be provided during the event, with video and audio transcripts available upon request afterward.
Participants are encouraged to join the virtual town hall without the need for prior experience in emergency management the town hall aims to be widely inclusive and is open to anyone interested in having a hand in shaping emergency strategies. The town hall is scheduled for the morning hours to facilitate broad participation, and further details along with meeting links will be distributed as the event draws closer.
Oregon's Department of Emergency Management emphasizes the importance of community-driven insights to foster a more inclusive and equitable approach to emergency management, and the agency eagerly anticipates input from Oregonians at the upcoming town hall. For those who want to contribute to the safety and well-being of their communities, this event presents a critical platform for direct engagement with state emergency planning processes.
