by Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle
April 6, 2026
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is hosting free webinars this spring for anyone interested in helping rural communities prepare for and respond to disasters such as floods, extreme heat and wildfires.
The two-part series, “Rural Communities Prepared for Disasters,” will bring in disaster response experts to share tools, resources and insights tailored to the needs of rural Oregonians.
The first session, “Preparedness and response,” will last from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 22 and focus on how disasters impact communication systems and how to stay informed when systems are disrupted, how to know when to evacuate and what to do if evacuation isn’t possible and understanding backup power options.
The second session, “Recovery and long-term support,” will last from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 13 and focus on how disaster recovery is funded, what the recovery process looks like, how to support smooth recovery efforts and the role of long-term recovery groups and how communities can get involved.
“Preparedness starts with making sure communities have the information and connections they need before disasters happen,” said Kayla Thompson, the agency’s community preparedness coordinator. “This series is designed to help rural communities strengthen their resilience by understanding risks, planning ahead, and knowing what resources are available during recovery.”
To register, visit the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s Zoom registration page. Both sessions will be recorded and posted to the agency’s Youtube channel.
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