November 7, 2009

Disasters & Recovery

When severe storms pounded the Oregon coast in December of 2007, the National Guard immediately started a rescue and recovery effort. And once the storm passed, Senator Wyden joined the entire Oregon congressional delegation in pushing for federal assistance and quick action by FEMA.

Thanks to Wyden's efforts in the 110th Congress, our nation is now better prepared to fix its communications infrastructure after a disaster by using volunteers engaged in the NET Guard program.

The concept for NET Guard was born in the aftermath of 9-11, when Andrew Rasiej, a New York Internet entrepreneur, organized volunteers from the New York tech community to help rebuild communications and data systems for displaced businesses and schools. He contacted Wyden and proposed that his effort be a model for a national program.

Wyden worked with then-Senator George Allen to move on a bipartisan basis to create NET Guard to ensure that volunteers with technology expertise could be fully utilized in future crises. These teams of local volunteers with science and technology expertise will be vital in assisting communities in recovering from natural disasters or responding to attacks on communications networks.

Below is a list of helpful links to help families and communities prepare for the unpredictable and recover in the aftermath of natural disasters. These reliable sources can help save lives. Please share them with your family and friends so that we can all do our best to keep Oregonians safe.

  • Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emergency Preparedness & Response Website: www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/

  • Department of Homeland Security comprehensive preparedness website for families, businesses, and kids: www.ready.gov/

  • National Institutes of Health, Outreach Activities & Resources for Special Populations: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/outreach/specialpopulationsanddisasters.html

  • National Weather Service, StormReady!: www.weather.gov/stormready/

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service Severe Weather Awareness: www.weather.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml

  • Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Plan Ahead: www.fema.gov/plan/

  • Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Apply for Assistance: www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm

  • Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Information for Pet Owners: www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/animals.shtm

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