Salem, Oregon – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has taken new efforts to make the state better prepared for an earthquake in the future. She issued Executive Order 25-22 on Monday. This order says that state structures should be equipped for earthquakes and safe for emergency use.
The order tells the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to come up with a plan to make sure that new state buildings that are more than 10,000 square feet are built to the highest requirements for earthquake safety. It also decides which old buildings need to be retrofitted or replaced first because they are the most important for government work and public safety.
Many people think that Oregon is quite likely to have a big earthquake in the next 50 years. Experts say that when an earthquake hits, state offices, emergency services, and housing for crucial workers would be very important. These structures need to be able to protect the people within and act as command headquarters for recovery efforts across the state.
“When a devastating earthquake hits Oregon, we need to be able to show up for Oregonians,” Governor Kotek said. “State employees are the backbone of emergency response, and they need safe places as they help families and communities recover. We cannot waver from this responsibility.”
Scientists and emergency authorities said that the executive order was a good step forward. Dr. Chris Goldfinger, a retired professor at Oregon State University, said that a huge earthquake will happen in the area; it’s only a matter of when. He said that the governor’s move was “the kind of action Oregon needs” to become more resilient. Priscilla Fuentes, the CEO of the Red Cross Cascade Region, said that secure places let responders act fast and save lives when every second counts.
Read also: Wood treatment plant fined after failing to follow Oregon water quality and hazardous waste rules
The order makes it obvious what the most important things are. It shows buildings that are already on continuity of operations plans, office buildings with more than 50,000 square feet, buildings that help first responders, institutional housing, and places in important regional hubs. DAS will include these requirements in the state’s larger plan for facilities, according to the proposal.
Kotek called the project a long-term investment. She said that it takes years of hard effort to keep communities safe from disasters, but she also said that it was important to start right away.
“Preparing our state for an earthquake is a long game,” Governor Kotek said. “Protecting Oregonians when disaster strikes is too important to delay. We must start now and stay committed to this work for decades to come.”
Read also: Oregon opens $972,000 grant program to boost services for veterans statewide
With the executive order in place, Oregon is taking visible steps to confront one of its most serious natural hazards and strengthen the foundation for statewide emergency readiness.
