September is National Emergency Preparedness Month! We thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share what the City does to prepare for emergencies and disasters and how you can easily prepare yourself and your family. How well we all will survive and recover from disasters is largely dependent on how well we prepare in advance.

What does the City do to prepare and respond?

As required by state law, the City of North Plains has an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to prevent, minimize, respond to, or recover from emergencies and disasters within the city. This plan was updated and adopted by the City Council in March 2021. It provides a framework for the management of emergency situations - from natural disasters to infectious diseases to man-made threats - in order to protect and preserve the welfare and safety of the residents of North Plains.

North Plains is also a partner in the Washington County Emergency Management Cooperative which works to develop and maintain a countywide, integrated system for preparing and responding to disasters.

The City’s Public Works Director is the designated Emergency Manager and is responsible for preparing for and responding to emergencies in partnership with the county, state, and many other partners. However, it is up to ALL OF US to take steps to be ready in case of an emergency.

What can you do?

While the City does what it can to be prepared, it’s important to understand that our ability to respond may be limited during some types of disasters. Community members and businesses need to be prepared to manage on their own for a minimum of three days, including having a supply of food, water, and other necessary items on hand. Don’t forget your pet’s needs as well.

Getting prepared for disasters is not difficult but it does take time, energy, and dedication. Visit our emergency preparedness web page for tools to help you prepare including some straightforward "how-to" aids as well as links to recommended resources. There are also tips and resources for businesses. Please take a few minutes to review them and create a plan for becoming more resilient in a disaster.

Even if it’s a harsh Oregon windstorm or snowstorm that knocks out power or prevents travel for a few days, you’ll be glad you prepared.