Reflection
As we near the conclusion of 2024 and the end of our Wildfire season, I’ve been reflecting on the important lessons we’ve learned throughout this period. In Oregon, over 1.7 million acres have been scorched, officially marking this season as one of the most devastating in recorded history. The road to recovery will not be a matter of months, but rather years. During our statewide briefings on activities and actions, a significant and recurring theme emerged: many families, farms, and ranches were caught off guard, lacking adequate measures for emergency preparedness, response, or recovery. Emergency services were pushed beyond capacity and all of our focus was again given to disaster response and recovery.
Opportunity
Experiences like this only reinforce our determination! One of the most challenging shifts we face after enduring the prolonged hardships of disaster recovery is to transition toward implementing strategies that enhance our mitigation, prevention, and preparedness efforts.
- Mitigation: eliminate or reduce the degree of long-term risk to human life, property and the environment from the effects of natural and technological hazards.
- Prevention: avoid hazards and minimize the negative consequences of a disaster.
- Preparedness: improve emergency readiness posture and develop or expand operational capabilities.
Return on Investment
Throughout our extended disaster recovery efforts, we effectively established an organization dedicated to responding to and fulfilling the unaddressed needs of the survivors within our communities in the following ways, and to date, our long-term recovery continues to be on standby:
- Implemented a fully Integrated recovery infrastructure
- Raised over $1 Million in grants and donations
- 3941 skilled hours were donated, valued at over $211,832.00
- Partnered with 16 businesses & 12 CBO’s
- Built three homes
- Provided insurance gap funding
- Provided individual and family assistance
We are making significant strides in our commitment to disaster response. We have successfully revitalized CCVOAD’s digital presence, which now includes an updated website, blog and active social media channels such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. To further our outreach and communication efforts, we have partnered with Meadowlark Collective, ensuring the integrity of our brand is upheld. Additionally, we have strengthened our outreach initiatives through monthly meetings with partners, newsletters, blogs, press releases, and consistent updates across our social media platforms.
We collaborate closely with Oregon Emergency Management and Clackamas County Disaster Management, actively engaging in emergency activations to keep our partners informed and involved as opportunities present themselves. Numerous disaster recovery partners, such as ORVOAD, the Red Cross, and Lutheran Disaster Services, among others, have renewed their partnership with us and have joined us in our mission to enhance response preparedness.
Looking ahead
In the upcoming months, we invite you to anticipate our invitation to our monthly meeting, where we will share updates as we actively work to enhance partnerships with faith-based and community organizations.
Additionally, please keep an eye on our events page for forthcoming training dates, which will soon be posted. These sessions will feature OEM’s train-the-trainer program for Two Weeks Ready.
In conclusion, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, dear friends and partners. Your unwavering support and dedication to uplifting those around you truly inspire me. I witness your commitment to enhancing the lives of others on a daily basis. If you believe in the value of our efforts, I kindly invite you to consider contributing to this cause. Together, we can invest not only in response initiatives but also in preparedness, prevention, and mitigation efforts. Thank you for everything you do!
Pat Olsen
Executive Director
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Your donation helps us continue our critical work in strengthening communities, providing vital resources in times of need, and ensuring a brighter future for all. Donate today by visiting this link on the CCVOAD website – Click Here To Donate
Thank you!