Oregon Emergency Management Association's 2009 Legislative Priorities are:

OEMA supports secure and dedicated funding for Oregon's Disaster Funds that were created by HB3626 in the 2008 Special Session.

Background: In 2009 Oregon Legislative Session Oregon Emergency Management Association (OEMA) is hopeful that the Legislature will build on their success from the 2008 Special session. The passing of HB3626 that created the Oregon Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund, Oregon Disaster Response Fund and Oregon Local Disaster Assistance Loan Account all provided much needed resources for state and local government emergency management and response organizations. The recent winter storms and flooding reinforce the ongoing need for those financial resources.

OEMA supports the $30 Million in bonds for seismic rehab of schools, hospitals, police stations and fire departments as proposed in the Governor's budget and recommended by Oregon Emergency Management.

Background: According to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), "in the past 2 decades, a variety of studies have found widespread evidence that great earthquakes have occurred repeatedly in the past, most recently about 300 years ago in January, 1700. There is every reason to believe that a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or greater will happen again in our region, perhaps within our lifetime. An earthquake of that magnitude would most likely generate a tsunami. Both disasters would potentially result in significant destruction of buildings, including schools and other infrastructure in Oregon west of the Cascades.

OEMA supports the proposed budget and staffing increase for Oregon Emergency Management (OEM). This vital State agency provides direct support for regional, county, city and other local government both prior to and when a natural or man-made disaster occurs. In addition, OEM helps these entities prepare for disasters by providing valuable training, exercises, planning and information resources. OEM provides these important services and fulfills its agency's mission with minimal staffing. The Legislature investing much needed additional resources in OEM now will help state and local governments be better prepared for future disasters and reduce recovery costs.

Background: The recent snowstorms, windstorms and flooding continue to place increasing demands on OEM and demonstrate the need for additional resources, including personnel, to support planning, mitigation, response and recovery efforts statewide. OEM has submitted a Policy Option Package proposal for the 2009-2011 Budget that includes provisions for much needed additional OEM staffing.

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©2008 Oregon Emergency Management Association P.O. Box 7309 Beaverton, OR 97007
oema@oregonemergency.com
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