GOVERNOR BROWN ISSUES EMERGENCY DECLARATION, DUE TO FORECASTED HEAT

July 29, 2021 3:10 p.m. 

At the request of the Oregon Health Authority, on Thursday Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in 23 counties, including Douglas, to ensure additional resources are available to respond to forecasted excessive high temperatures.

A release said the emergency declaration was triggered by the need for state agencies to assist local and Tribal jurisdictions in providing for the health and safety of their residents.

Brown said, “As Oregon faces another high heat event, it’s important that we make available all needed resources to assist every level of government helping Oregonians stay safe and healthy”. Brown said she knows that the excessively high temperatures are placing a significant burden on local and Tribal jurisdictions, and that they can also impact critical infrastructure, including utilities and transportation.

Brown has directed the Office of Emergency Management to activate the state’s Emergency Coordination Center and state agencies to provide any assistance requested by OEM. As part of the declaration, OHA will activate the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon – the state’s roster of licensed physicians, nurses, EMTs, and other health professionals – as necessary to respond to the request.

Oregonians are encouraged to call 211 for information on cooling centers.

A full copy of the emergency declaration is linked: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GsnGeil2WjijVfB_PAgMswOoykKCDCfa/view