The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is calling on Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management in the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the department will host its second annual town hall, inviting community members from all backgrounds to share their insights and feedback on the agency’s strategic direction.
The virtual event will focus on two key initiatives: the OEM 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Plan. These plans play a vital role in guiding the department’s efforts to build resilience and improve emergency management practices across the state.
The OEM Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for the department’s goals, emphasizing customer service excellence and fostering resilience within Oregon’s communities. Meanwhile, the IDEA plan seeks to ensure that emergency management practices are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of all communities in Oregon, particularly during times of crisis.
By gathering feedback at this town hall, OEM aims to strengthen its emergency preparedness, response, and recovery processes to better serve every community in Oregon—before, during, and after a disaster.
The town hall is open to all Oregonians, and no prior emergency management experience is necessary. Organizers encourage participation from individuals across the state to ensure that the voices of all communities are heard. The event will include closed captioning, and a video and audio transcript will be available upon request following the meeting.
The meeting will take place virtually, with a link sent out to registered participants as the event date approaches.
OEM officials stress the importance of public input in shaping a more inclusive and effective approach to emergency management. “Community feedback is crucial in ensuring that our planning processes are responsive to the needs of all Oregonians, particularly in times of disaster,” said an OEM representative. “We look forward to hearing from a wide range of participants and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.”
For more information about the event and to register, Oregonians are encouraged to visit the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s website.