Main: 503-823-4519
City/County Info: 503-823-4000
TDD: 503-823-6868
1120 SW 5th Ave, Suite 114, Portland, OR 97204
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
PUBLIC ALERTS AND THE ADDITIONAL NEEDS REGISTRY
The joint City of Portland and Multnomah County community emergency notification system is able to send phone, text/SMS and email alerts to addresses within Multnomah County. Emergency responders use the system to notify residents and businesses affected during an emergency. Their alerts often suggest safety actions such as staying inside or evacuating.
The system is preprogrammed with local landline phone numbers from phone company records. To receive messages by email, text, cell phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), residents must register relevant contact information at www.PublicAlerts.org.
The notification system is just one of several tools used by emergency responders to alert the public. It is not activated in all situations. Emergency information is also provided through broadcast and print media, social media, the PublicAlerts.org website and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on TV and radio.
http://www.publicalerts.org/signup
What is the Additional Needs Registry within PublicAlerts?
The Additional Needs Registry is a completely voluntary, opt-in program for individuals with disabilities in Portland and Multnomah County. We suggest including the one or two places you spend the most time, including your home and workplace.
What it does
If you include your information on the Additional Needs Registry, three things will happen:
- Your additional needs will be shared with 9-1-1 police and fire responders.
- You will receive occasional additional emergency preparedness information.
- Your information will contribute to general City and County disaster planning for people with disabilities.
Registry information will be entered into the 9-1-1 system within two months of being provided.
What it Does NOT Do
It is important to know what this registry does NOT do. Please note:
- This registry does NOT sign you up for specific assistance or evacuation during an emergency. Registering will not prioritize you for assistance or evacuation.
- This registry does NOT promise that 9-1-1 police and fire responders will meet your additional needs when they respond to a 9-1-1 call.
- This registry does NOT guarantee any service from City, County, or public safety officials.
In an emergency, police, fire, and other responders might not be able to access your information or do what you request. This is why we cannot promise that anyone will meet your additional needs. If you register your additional needs, you should still do everything you can to prepare yourself for an emergency. Find more information about emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
Why should I share my additional needs with PublicAlerts?
By voluntarily participating in the registry, you will be sharing important and personal information with public safety responders that may help them to better assist you. Here are examples where the information is extremely helpful:
- If you get lost, a public safety responder may be able to use the emergency contact information to contact someone in your support system.
- If you are in a crisis and unable to communicate with a public safety responder, they may be able to get more information about your medical and personal needs from someone you trust.
- If you are home and call 9-1-1, public safety responders may have more details about your disability when they arrive to help.
- This information will help City and County Emergency Planners to better plan for the needs of people with disabilities, as a group, during a major disaster. .
Emergency Preparedness Online Training and Workbook
Disability specific emergency preparedness trainings