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    Office of Emergency Management scheduled to unveil new display at Oregon State Fair

    Office of Emergency Management scheduled to unveil new display at Oregon State Fair

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Fred Molesworth, Communications Officer, Technology and Response Section for Oregon...... read more read more

    SALEM, OR, UNITED STATES

    08.21.2013

    Story by Sgt. Cory Grogan 

    Oregon Emergency Management

    SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Office of Emergency Management is scheduled to participate in the 2013 Oregon State Fair with a new display and giveaways, Aug. 26-27, located at the northeast corner of Columbia Hall across from Familyville and garden displays. Demonstrations will highlight the agency’s capabilities as well as the importance of emergency preparedness. The Office of Emergency Management is scheduled to give away 80 custom emergency kits and OEM mascot "Buzzy the Bee" will be in attendance along with other activities for children.

    OEM is also scheduled to operate an amateur radio station at the fair from the Office of Emergency Management Continuity of Operations Communications Support trailer.

    “Our goal is to demonstrate how amateur radio provides backup communications in the event of a disaster to support communication in Oregon,” said Fred Molesworth, communications officer for OEM. “Amateur Radio is a key resource we’ll rely on in an emergency and we’re always looking for volunteers who enjoy what they do to support the state.”

    Molesworth said his group has received a special callsign from the Federal Communications Commission, and will be operating on air as amateur radio station W7F along with the normal callsign W7OEM. Callsigns such as these are known as “1x1” calls. They are very unusual and will attract attention on the air, he added.

    “The group hopes to contact as many other stations as possible across the country and around the world during the two-day period,” explained Molesworth.

    Along with giveaways and information on how to create emergency preparedness kits there will also be information on the State 9-1-1 program that OEM manages. The State 9-1-1 Program’s primary mission is to ensure seamless operation of the statewide Enhanced 9-1-1 system. The program is responsible for the continual coordination and management of the network necessary to deliver 9-1-1 calls, as well as consulting and assisting local governments with the challenges faced in the statewide enhanced 9-1-1 emergency reporting system.

    Activities and giveaways will be catered to educate children about the importance of 9-1-1, said Section Director, Technology & Response Services State 9-1-1 Program Director Mark Tennyson.

    “Having this display at the Fair is a great opportunity to provide public education on 9-1-1; especially to kids,” Tennyson stated. “We are excited to have demonstrations and giveaways that will highlight our program at the fair this year.”

    You can enter to win an emergency kit prior to the Oregon State Fair by going to the following link and following the instructions: https://www.facebook.com/events/315824881896730/?ref=22.
    OEM is encouraging families to attend the display to learn about emergency management while having a great time at the Oregon State Fair! For more information contact the OEM public information office at (503) 378-2911 x22283. Learn more about the Oregon State Fair by visiting www.oregonstatefair.org.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.21.2013
    Date Posted: 08.21.2013 15:30
    Story ID: 112333
    Location: SALEM, OR, US

    Web Views: 241
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN