On Thursday, September 10, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced the release of a new statewide strategy, the Plan for a Resilient Oregon (PRO). This strategy was rigorously designed and researched to center Oregon communities and their ability to prepare for disasters. The plan's development was supported in part by the University of Oregon's Institute for Policy Research and Engagement’s (IPRE) Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience (OPDR) in collaboration with Oregon State University's Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.
The work and collaboration by these experts hopes to leverage a number of strategies to help strengthen responses to rising disasters in the state. These include expediting services for survivors and frontline communities, strengthening community networks, assisting businesses impacted by disasters, making data-driven investments in critical infrastructure, and building a culture of collaboration to strengthen cross-agency resilience work. The importance of community collaboration in the light of emerging disasters cannot be understated when it comes to disaster response.
"Resilience is not the work of one person or one level of government,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “It requires a comprehensive approach grounded in the lived experiences of those who have faced and endured disaster and reflects the unique needs of each and every community. That is the foundation of the Plan for a Resilient Oregon. As we recognize the six-year anniversary of the 2020 Labor Day fires this week, it is critical that Oregon moves forward with a new vision for resilience that will protect all of us into the future.”
PRO is an important first step and foundation for the community to level and rise above the emerging disasters that come with our uncertain climate future. With more than a year of research and iterative work, PRO was shaped by statewide and regional forums, Tribal nations, local governments, researchers (including UO's IPRE and OSU), emergency managers, and community organizations from across Oregon, including rural neighbors. It was important to ensure that this plan could be used for all.
“Building resilience means investing in the local capacity, opportunities, and relationships that help communities adapt before a crisis, strengthening their economic resilience, and developing the resources they need to put good ideas into practice,” Heidi Khokhar, Executive Director at Rural Development Initiatives, said. “We hope this plan can be a catalyst for that work, and if approved, we’ll be looking for meaningful follow-through.”
The Governor’s Recommended Budget for the 2027–2029 biennium will be informed by the strategies in the plan and will guide how state agencies invest, plan, and partner with communities to prepare for and recover from disasters.