Oregon — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has formally adopted the Oregon Disaster Recovery Plan (ODRP), Volume IV of the State of Oregon Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, establishing a statewide framework for disaster recovery.
The plan is designed to guide recovery efforts following disasters and to support local governments and Tribal Nations as they work to restore services, rebuild infrastructure, and revitalize communities.
“The Oregon Disaster Recovery Plan strengthens our state’s ability to support communities when disaster strikes,” said Tina Kotek. “Coordinating resources effectively, prioritizing equity in recovery efforts, and helping Oregonians rebuild stronger and more resilient communities are at the heart of our planning efforts.”
Developed under the authority of Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 401, the ODRP aligns with the National Disaster Recovery Framework published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The plan incorporates lessons learned from recent disasters, including the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, and reflects current best practices for managing recovery operations.
According to Erin McMahon, director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, the plan emphasizes locally driven recovery with coordinated state support. She said the framework is intended to help households, individuals, and businesses not only recover, but also build long-term resilience.
The ODRP is structured as an all-hazards plan and outlines a scalable recovery organization adaptable to incidents of varying complexity. It defines roles and responsibilities for state, local, Tribal, and federal partners; establishes a recovery concept of operations; and includes an equity vision aimed at addressing the needs of disproportionately impacted communities.
The plan organizes state coordination into seven Recovery Support Functions: Community Assistance, Economic Recovery, Health Services, Human Services, Disaster Housing, Infrastructure Systems, and Natural and Cultural Resources.
OEM officials said the plan provides a roadmap for addressing the long-term impacts of disasters common in Oregon, including wildfires, floods, landslides, and winter storms. It emphasizes collaboration among government agencies, Tribal Nations, nonprofits, businesses, and residents to ensure recovery efforts are coordinated and community-centered.
With adoption complete, OEM will convene quarterly meetings with recovery partners, finalize recovery annexes, and provide planning assistance, training, and technical support to local and Tribal jurisdictions. A statewide exercise, Lahar’d Times, scheduled for October, will test post-volcanic recovery processes outlined in the plan.
Residents interested in supporting recovery efforts are encouraged to contact their local emergency management office about volunteer opportunities and to take steps to prepare their households, including maintaining appropriate insurance coverage and participating in community preparedness programs.
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