Heatwave Resources

by | Jun 25, 2021 | emergency preparedness, weather

Oregon faces very serious weather this week. Be sure you have a plan to stay cool, safe, and healthy. Cooling centers have opened up around the area and we’re including the latest listings from our amazing county partners below. Also included are important tips from FEMA about preparing for and surviving during an extreme heat event. Check them out below and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

heatwave

2020 Wildfire Supports and Resources

by | Sep 10, 2020 | emergency preparedness, wildfires

The events of the week of September 7th, 2020 have been devastating. Independence Northwest is here as a support for the communities of Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties.

We have just added a new resource page to our website: https://independencenw.org/fires/ This list of resources is by no means comprehensive, but we will continue to add to it as we get more information. If you would like to share resources with us or if you have updates to existing resources, please email larry@independencenw.org. Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC ALERTS!

March 17, 2020: Important Coronavirus Notice from Oregon DHS for Customers and Families

by | Mar 17, 2020 | 2020 changes, coronavirus, covid 19, emergency preparedness

March 17, 2020
From: Oregon Department of Human Services
To: People living in their own homes or family homes, Children in foster care homes, and Family members of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) living in these settings; and Child Foster Home providers serving children with I/DD

COVID-19 is the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. COVID-19 is a virus that makes people feel unwell. People with other health issues are most at-risk if they get this virus. COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person through droplets in the air and on surfaces that people touch. To protect the health and safety of people and their families, the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) is providing the following guidance.

Help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

How to protect yourself and others.

Practice good hygiene

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after
    you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%
    alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the
    inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately follow the “practice good hygiene” steps above.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables,
    doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • Clean dirty surfaces: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • Wash items including washable plush toys as appropriate. If possible, wash items
    using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19.
  •  Put at least 6 feet of space between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is
    spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at
    higher risk.
  • Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members
    from those who are healthy. Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use,
    if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick.
  • Avoid gatherings and activities in the community when possible.

Take precautions for visitors

  • Prior to accepting a visitor into the home, screen the visitor for signs and
    symptoms of COVID-19 by asking the visitor the following questions:

    • Have you had signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever,
      cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat?
    • Have you had contact in the last 14 days with someone with a confirmed
      diagnosis of COVID-19, or under investigation for COVID-19?
    • Have you traveled internationally within the last 14 days?
  • • If you have concerns about a visitor being ill, you can decide to restrict the visitor
    from entering the home. Consider alternative methods to visit, such as phone or
    video chat.
    • If you choose to allow visitors, provide guidance on protecting themselves and
    others by practicing proper hand washing, limiting surfaces touched, and
    maintaining a safe distance from other household members.

Working with your staff (i.e., Personal Support Worker, Direct Support Professional, or
alternate caregivers)

  • Discuss together how staff can support the you in implementing the steps listed
    above to remain healthy and safe.
  •  Individuals, families, and child foster home providers should expect staff to follow
    good hygiene guidelines and preventive measures to reduce the spread of illness

Back-up Planning & Working with the Case Manager

COVID-19 Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance
ODDS COVID-19 Information
ODDS COVID-19 YouTube Video

Inspired Abilities Hosts Neighborhood Emergency Team Training at INW

by | Aug 15, 2019 | emergency preparedness

A special message from our friends at Inspired Abilities:

Do you know about your Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET)? As soon as a neighborhood emergency occurs, a subset of Portland’s citizens don their hardhats and backpacks and head out to help! See https://portlandprepares.org/ for more information. It is great to know who they are and what they are doing and know volunteers are welcome.

Interested? If yes, you are invited to a:

Community conversation with Jeremy Van Keuren of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM)
6 pm – 8 pm on Thursday, September 5th
Independence Northwest 919 NE 19th Ave #275 · Portland, OR
RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Inspired-Abilities/events/263262786/
Jeremy will help us understand the Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NET) program, citizen expectations and the workings of PBEM.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/426002228259613/

Wait, there’s more!

After the NET volunteers complete their training curriculums, they are tested at the Portland Police Bureau Training Division’s Scenario Village. They need a real-life feeling situation, so citizen volunteers help out by being post-disaster/emergency actors. It will be an enriching afternoon where you will learn a lot simply by helping out. You and your friends and family are invited:

Volunteer Patient Actor during NET Final Field Exercises @ Scenario Village
12 noon – 4 pm on Sunday, September 15th
Portland Police Bureau: Training Division, 14912 NE Airport Way · Portland, OR
More details and RSVP:  https://www.meetup.com/Inspired-Abilities/events/263887516/

WARNING:
We will request that some “victims” wear moulage makeup (but this will not be required – you can indicate if this is OK or not when you sign up below). You are welcome to bring friends and family, including children! To have a look at what moulage is, please visit the following link (beware, however; though they are simulated injuries, it’s still a little gory): http://portlandnet.tumblr.com/tagged/Moulage

 

Cooling Centers in the Metro Area

by | Jul 7, 2010 | advocacy, clackamas county, emergency preparedness, multnomah county, washington county

KATU’s current list of cooling centers in the metro area:

Multnomah County:

  • Portland Rescue Mission is opening its Burnside Shelter at 111 W. Burnside as a cooling center.  Movies and beverages in an air-conditioned environment will be provided 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
  • Loaves and Fishes has air-conditioned spaces throughout Multnomah County, and beyond. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday.
  • Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 N.E. 40th Ave., will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. Movie, beverages and snacks at 5:30 p.m. Free transportation through Ride Connection. Call (503) 288-8303 or (503) 988-3646 to schedule a ride.
  • The Salvation Army Rose Center for Seniors will be extending its hours through Thursday, opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. at 211 N.E. 18th Ave. near downtown Portland. It’s offering “fun activities, light snacks and lots of water” and can be reached at (503) 239-1221.
  • The City of Fairview will open up Fairview City Hall as a cooling center from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Children must be accompanied by an adult; animals are prohibited. Fairview City Hall is at 1300 N.E. Village Street in downtown Fairview, about 2 miles west of Troutdale off Interstate 84. Call (503) 674-6224 with questions.
  • Greater Gresham Baptist Church is opening its sanctuary up as a Gresham Area Cooling Center. The church is at 3848 N.E. Division Street in Gresham and will stay open until 9 p.m. and possibly later. Call (503) 667-1515 for further details.
  • The Oregon Human Society’s Animal Medical Learning Center will host a pet-friendly cooling center through Sunday, Aug 2, during normal shelter hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Pets must be accompanied by their owners at all times. Pet drop offs are not allowed; pet crates are encouraged. The address is 1067 N.E. Columbia Blvd., just inside the Oregon Humane Society’s main shelter entrance. Call (503) 285-7722 or visit www.OregonHumane.org for further details.

Clark County:

  • New extended hours: Clark County Fire District 6 will open the Felida Fire Station as a cooling center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The station is at 11600 N.W. Lakeshore Ave. in Vancouver. C-TRAN will transport people there; riders need to board Route 9/Felida and ask the driver to drop them at the fire station on Lakeshore Avenue – as it is not a regular stop on the route.
  • The Human Services Council of Southwest Washington will provide door-to-door service to the Clark County Fire District 6 Cooling Center.  The home pickup service is for low-income people and those with disabilities who need assistance in finding transportation. Rides are limited, so if you know you’ll need one you should call as soon as possible. Ride reservation lines are (360) 258-2103 or (360) 735-5746.
  • Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main Street in Fairgrounds Park, will be open for books, magazines, board games and children’s activities from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department at (360) 342-5380 for more information on this center.
  • East County Fire and Rescue will open their firehouse as a cooling center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Station 91 is located at 600 N.E. 267th Avenue, Fern Prairie, next to Grove Airfield.

Clackamas County:

Portable, electric fans may be available for loan to families through the Wilsonville Community Center. The Clackamas County Energy Assistance Program also has fans available for low-income households free of charge.  People in need of a fan can call its energy assistance line at (503) 650-5640; Spanish speakers can call (503) 650-5766. Additionally,

  • Wilsonville Public Library at 8200 S.W. Wilsonville Road will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday for cooling, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. thereafter.  The library will be closed Thursday.  Water is available, no pets allowed, handicapped accessible.
  • Water features in Town Center Park at the Visitors Center and Murase Plaza will be left on until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
  • The Wilsonville Community Center at 7965 S.W. Wilsonville Road is “remaining cool and always a place for folks to spend the day,” reports Dan Knoll, spokesman for the City of Wilsonville. Coffee, tea and water are “always available,” he said. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Lake Grove Presbyterian Church at 4040 Sunset Drive in Lake Grove has water and ice tea available. Pets are allowed but restricted to shady area outside. Operating hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • Damascus Community Church at 14251 S.E. Rust Way in Damascus will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Water is available and pets are allowed in carriers. This facility is handicap accessible.
  • Lower Highland Bible Church at 24333 S. Ridge Road in Beavercreek will be open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday.
  • Eagle Creek Fire Station at 32200 S.E. Judd Road in Eagle Creek will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
  • Lake Oswego Adult Community Center at 505 “G” Ave. in Lake Oswego will serve as a cooling center from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on week days, and after hours and on the weekend by calling (503) 635-3758. Staff will open the Center for as long as needed.
  • Sandy Community/Senior Center at 38348 Pioneer Blvd. in Sandy will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Handicapped accessible.
  • Oswego Place Assisted Living, 17450 Pilkington Road, Lake Oswego; open Wednesday through Sunday as cooling center.

Washington County:

In the City of Hillsboro there are several cooling centers open for residents, including:

  • Tyson Recreation Center, 1880 N.E. Griffin Oaks St. in Hillsboro will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Monday through Friday.
  • Hillsboro Senior Center,   750 S.E. Eighth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 Brookwood Parkway, will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
  • Shute Park Branch Library, 775 S.E. 10th Ave., will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
  • West Police Precinct, 250 S.E. 10th Ave., will serve as a cooling station from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday

The following Hillsboro churches also will be open this week for those needing a respite from the heat:

  • Sonrise Church, 6701 N.E. Campus Drive, open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
  • Westport Church, 20085 N.W. Tanasbourne Drive, open from 10 a.m.  to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at the Hillsboro cooling centers specifically. For recorded location and hour information for Hillsboro cooling stations call (503) 681-5295.

Assisted living center opens its doors as cooling center through Sunday:

  • Beaverton Hills Assisted Living, 4425 S.W. 99th Ave., Beaverton
  • Riverwood Assisted Living, 18321 S.W. Pacific Highway, Tualatin

Columbia County:

  • Warren Community Fellowship Church at 56253 Columbia River Highway, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Call Columbia River Fire and Rescue at (503) 397-2990 for more information.

Marion County:

  • Silverton Hospital has set up two cooling center sites: one at the Silver Falls Library, 410 S. Water Street, and one at Silver Creek Fellowship, 822 Industry Way. Both are open 10 a.m. to dusk starting Thursday.

Voluntary Emergency Registry Open in Multnomah County

by | Aug 13, 2009 | advocacy, emergency preparedness, multnomah county, resource

The Voluntary Emergency Registry is a list of persons who need help evacuating their home during an emergency, or who would be unable to evacuate without special notification from emergency response personnel. The registry also includes people who would be unable to remain at home without assistance following a disaster. Information in this list will be provided to the Bureau of Emergency Communications (911) and other emergency response personnel from the City of Portland and Gresham and Multnomah County.

You can register online here.

Emergency Preparedness – Are You Ready?

by | Jul 29, 2009 | caregivers, customers, domestic employees, emergency preparedness, independent contractors

readynowThe folks at OHSU have created a comprehensive emergency preparedness booklet for people with developmental disabilities called Ready Now.  It walks you step-by-step through different emergency situations and helps you plan ahead to be ready in the event of an emergency. The booklet includes checklists for supplies, emergency contacts and more.

This is a great resource for customers, parents, providers and families. You’re sure to learn something you didn’t know and walk away with the tools you  need to be prepared for an emergency. Check it out online here.

Thanks to Cynthia Owens for the tip.