Emergency Management

Preparing for disasters is an important function of the Salem Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Division.  An effective response to a disaster requires the coordination of all city departments and outside government and private agencies.

The city has a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan that conforms to the federal National Incident Management System structure.  It includes detailed information about how city departments and outside agencies will respond to a disaster to protect the community.

The Fire Department also provides disaster preparedness training to the community.  The very popular Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program teaches community members how to prepare for a disaster and deal effectively and safely with minor emergencies that can occur in neighborhoods during a disaster. 

To learn more information about CERT and how to become trained, click on the CERT Logo.   

Emergency Information

If there is a significant emergency in progress information will likely be posted on this website.  The “Emergency Information” link to the upper right will contain details about what is occurring and what action you should take to stay safe.

Are you ready for a disaster?

Download the Home Disaster Supply Kit preparation guide and ensure you and your family are prepared in the event of a disaster.

For more information about preparing for a disaster, go to www.ready.gov.  This US Department of Homeland Security website contains emergency preparedness information for adults and children.

To learn more about disaster preparedness, or about the City of Salem's emergency management program, contact us.

The City of Salem Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP) (4.3 MB) describes the City's risk to natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, as well as mitigation strategies and tasks to reduce risk.  NHMP's are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to be eligible for pre-disaster mitigation grant funding-such as the recent funding award for seismic upgrades to fire stations-and post-disaster mitigation grant funds.

The NHMP contains the following information:

1. Definitions of the scope of and experience with natural hazards affecting the community;
2. An assessment of the ongoing hazard mitigation activities in the community, including approaches that the City is currently utilizing;
3. An evaluation of additional mitigation measures that should be undertaken;
4. Defined strategies for implementation of mitigation projects and activities by all stakeholders (including cities, the county, citizens, businesses, others); and
5. Qualifications of various hazard mitigation programs coordinated through the Office of Oregon Emergency Management (OEM).