Sherwood’s Philosophy of Emergency Management

More often than not, emergencies and major disasters develop quickly with little or no forewarning or advanced notice. An effective community response requires preparation, not only by the City of Sherwood staff and its departments, but also by individual residents, families, businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGO).

“Resilient communities begin with prepared individuals and depend on the leadership and engagement of local government, NGOs, and the private sector.”
                                                           National Response Framework Jan 2008

Resilience, or the ability to spring back following stress requires investment in time, money and effort. Resilience means that in times of emergency or disaster, Sherwood as a community will be as ready as possible to respond and then to recover.

Consequently, the City of Sherwood has a responsibility to ensure that local police, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management, public works, utility providers, and others in the community who are often the first to detect a threat or hazard, or respond to an incident are trained and prepared to respond appropriately.

Planning and training will be based on the assumption that local resources will be exhausted prior to requesting aid or assistance from Washington County, the State of Oregon, or the Federal government.

It must always be remembered, that

It is impossible for government to do everything that is required to protect the lives and property of its citizens. Citizens have the responsibility to prepare themselves and their families to cope with emergencies. Sherwood will assist its citizens in carrying out this responsibility by providing emergency preparedness public information and training prior to emergency situations and instructions during and following emergencies.

The City of Sherwood has taken a leadership role in educating its staff, business owners, and residents in ways they and their families can be better prepared and in the roles they can play in times of major disaster and emergency. With this level and kind of preparation by all segments of the community, Sherwood will be better prepared to provide an effective and integrated response that will then allow it as a community to quickly move on from response, to long-term recovery activities and operations, to normalization of daily life.
 

To learn more about the City of Sherwood Emergency Management programs, to include the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Map Your Neighborhood Programs, please contact

Skip Booren, Emergency Management Coordinator, 503 925-7110 email: boorens@ci.sherwood.or.us