Lane County Emergency Management is helping people be more prepared for disasters as part of a 6-week readiness campaign.
The campaign includes weekly readiness tips, events, and a new program to help residents let first responders know if they need help during a disaster.
“The ‘6 Weeks of Ready’ campaign runs through October and provides a simple, step-by-step approach to becoming more prepared,” said Lane County Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown. “Each week focuses on a different aspect of readiness, making it easier for individuals and families to build resilience before the next emergency. Whether someone is just getting started or already has a plan, the goal is to help everyone take their preparedness to the next level.”
Each week during the campaign, which runs through October, preparedness tips will be released online. The first week’s theme is stocking up and staying safe by building a go-kit and being ready to shelter in place. Other themes throughout the campaign include family communication plans, being prepared with kids and pets, and tsunami readiness, and more.
Lane County Emergency Management will also be participating in the Beat the Wave Disaster Preparedness Expo in Florence on October 11, which is being hosted by the West Lane Emergency Operations Group.
Finally, Lane County Emergency Management is rolling out its new HELP/OK sign program, which provides people with a free window sign that can be used to signal to first responders that they need help during a disaster.
"The HELP/OK sign program is a simple but powerful tool to strengthen community resilience,” said Brown. “During a disaster, every minute counts — and with these signs, first responders can quickly identify who needs assistance and who is safe. It’s a small step that can make a big difference."
HELP/OK signs are available to download from the Lane County Emergency Management website or can be picked up for free during September and October at the following locations:
Lane County Government Offices
- Assessment & Taxation (125 E. 8th Avenue, Eugene)
- Public Works Customer Service Center (3050 N. Delta Highway, Eugene)
- Community Health Centers (map to all 8 locations)
- WIC Office (151 W. 7th Avenue, Eugene)
- Communicable Disease Clinic (151 W. 7th Avenue, Eugene)
- Veteran Services (151 W. 7th Avenue, Eugene)
- Developmental Disabilities Services Reception (2513 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Eugene)
- Reveille Housing (680 Tyler Street, Eugene)
- Parole & Probation (2699 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite A, Eugene)
- Youth Services (2727 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Eugene)
Lane Council of Governments Offices
- 1015 Willamette Street, Eugene
- 3180 US 101, Florence
- 700 E. Gibbs Avenue, Cottage Grove
- 48310 E. 1st Street, Oakridge
City Halls
- Coburg City Hall (91136 N Willamette Street, Coburg)
- Florence City Hall (250 US 101, Florence)
- Dunes City (82877 Spruce Street, Westlake)
- Springfield City Hall (225 Fifth Street, Springfield)
- Creswell City Hall (13 S. 1st Street, Creswell)
- Veneta City Hall (88184 8th Street, Veneta)
Fire Districts
- Western Lane Fire District (410 9th Street, Florence)
- South Lane Fire & Rescue (233 E. Harrison Avenue, Cottage Grove)
- Coburg Fire District (91232 North Coburg Road, Coburg)
- McKenzie Fire Station (42870 McKenzie Highway, Walterville)
- Pleasant Hill Goshen Fire Station (85880 First Street, Eugene)
- Junction City Fire Station (1755 Juniper Street, Junction City)
Post Offices
- Dorena Post Office (75694 Wicks Road, Dorena)
- Swisshome Post Office (13297 Highway 36, Swisshome)
- Deadwood Post Office (14701 Highway 36, Deadwood)
Other
- Eugene Downtown Library (100 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene)
- Amazon Community Center (2700 Hilyard Street, Eugene)
- Dorena School (37141 Row River Road, Dorena)
- Oakridge Air (48513 Highway 58, Oakridge)
- Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative (90680 Highway 99 North, Eugene)
- Springfield Library (225 Fifth Street, Springfield)
- LTD Eugene Station Customer Service Center (1080 Willamette Street, Eugene)
- Mapleton Water District (88151 Riverview Avenue, Mapleton)
"We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone in Lane County to get a HELP/OK sign. You can pick one up at libraries, fire stations, and other public buildings across the county,” said Brown.