Salem Reporter publishes a regular column from Mark Wardell, West Salem team leader for Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, focusing on emergency preparedness and planning.

CERT needs you! Fall 2025 training coming soon

A FREE certification course begins this October. This course will equip you with essential skills to assist your community during emergencies. The class is provided by the city of Salem CERT, under the auspices of the Salem Fire Department. There is no charge to participate. To become a fully certified member of CERT, you must attend all the sessions.

The class begins on Thursday, Oct. 9, and continues for six consecutive weeks until Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6-9 p.m. Each session will be held in the training room of Fire Station #6 at 2740 25th St. S.E. The final exam and graduation will take place on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.

If you or someone you know is interested in this training opportunity, preregistration is required. Please contact Lola Hackett at [email protected] to register or for additional information.

Great ShakeOut

On the third Thursday of October, we can participate in the Great ShakeOut, when we can practice earthquake safety measures. This year, ShakeOut falls on Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. At this time, participate in the ShakeOut drill by dropping, covering, and holding on.

This annual drill serves as a reminder that, with Oregon sitting squarely in the high-risk zone for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, readiness is essential.

What is the Great Oregon ShakeOut?

The Great Oregon ShakeOut is a statewide opportunity for individuals, families, organizations, and government agencies to practice the crucial safety measure of “drop, cover, and hold on” as if a major earthquake were occurring at that moment. The drill simulates the seconds immediately following the feeling significant seismic activity.

Emergency management experts agree that “drop, cover, and hold on” is the single best action to prevent injury or death during an earthquake.

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.

 COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter.
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.

 HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Why is this important?

While the Cascadia Subduction Zone is off the coast, Salem and the Willamette Valley face significant risks from both the megathrust event and the faults that run closer to metropolitan areas. A major earthquake is expected to disrupt power, water, communications, and roads, for days, weeks, and in some cases months.

The ShakeOut is not just a drill; it’s a time for the Mid-Willamette Valley to review our own preparedness steps, including:

• Securing your space: Identifying and securing items that could fall and cause injury or damage.
• Emergency supplies: Ensuring households and businesses have a two-week supply of food, water, medicine, and other essentials.
• ShakeAlert system: Testing the integrated ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, which provides crucial seconds of warning to take cover before shaking begins.

How you can participate

Participation is free and open to everyone. Mid-Willamette Valley residents, schools, and organizations are encouraged to register their participation online at ShakeOut.org/Oregon to be counted in the state totals.

On Oct. 16, at 10:16 a.m., simply practice the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” procedure for at least 60 seconds. Following the drill, it’s recommended to discuss lessons learned and update your emergency plan.

The Great Oregon ShakeOut is a no-cost, high-impact action that everyone can take to ensure they are more ready to survive and recover from the inevitable next major earthquake. More information about the Great ShakeOut may be found at ShakeOut.org/Oregon. 

Oregon’s great camp-in

Prepare to pitch a tent–indoors! Mark on your calendars for the Great Oregon Camp-In, happening Oct. 17-19. This is an “at your own pace” event, do it for a few hours or the full weekend.

The Camp-In is a hands-on event designed to test a household’s ability to live self-sufficiently without power, water, or basic services for multiple days, the likely scenario following a major earthquake.

More than a getaway

Unlike a camping trip, the Great Oregon Camp-In encourages participants to “camp” in their homes, setting up blankets, using emergency food, and planning activities that require no electricity.

The ShakeOut teaches us how to survive the 60-90 seconds of shaking; the Camp-In teaches us how to survive the next two weeks. For Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley, a disaster means we could be cut off from supplies for a significant time. This drill forces us to find the gaps in our personal “2 Weeks Ready” supply.

To-do list for the Camp-In

The Camp-In is an excellent time to practice key preparedness actions recommended by the OEM:

• Set up Your shelter: Spend a night using sleeping bags and pillows away from your normal bed. This simulates sheltering-in-place while using emergency supplies.
• Eat your emergency meals: Prepare and eat meals using only non-perishable food items from your emergency kit, using a camping stove or grill outside (safely!)—or practicing no-cook meals.
• Test your tech: Practice using a battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio to receive updates, and talk to your out-of-area contact person to ensure your communication plan works.
• Practice manual operations: Learn where and how to safely shut off utilities (water, electricity, and gas) in your home—a critical skill to prevent further damage after an earthquake.
• Involve the whole family: Engage children with games, reading, and non-electric activities to prepare them for a power outage scenario.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #GreatOregonCampIn to inspire their neighbors to action. This year, turn off the lights, pitch a tent in the living room, and make preparedness a family project.

For more information about the Great Oregon Camp-In may be found here.

If you have any questions about this article, preparedness in general, or if you’d like to inquire about joining CERT or scheduling a CERT presentation for your organization, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mark Wardell, at [email protected].

STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].

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