The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management is sharing the final results of a study conducted by DHM Research to look at how Portlanders are preparing for a major disaster (click here to view the results). The research was conducted from November 2016 to February 2017 and includes the results of a telephone survey, online survey, and two focus groups. Here are some of the findings:

• Portlanders are largely aware that a disaster could happen; 74% believe a natural disaster is somewhat or very likely to occur in Portland in the next ten years. However, this awareness may not be enough to drive them to prepare.
• About half of Portlanders (52%) have made an emergency kit for their household.  This tracks almost exactly with national survey numbers; Portlanders are not more prepared than people in other parts of the country.
• Portlanders believe knowing their neighbors is a first step in neighborhood preparedness. Those who are more connected to their neighbors also feel more prepared for emergencies.  However, only 13% of Portlanders have actually made a plan with their neighbors. 
• Portlanders expect to rely on themselves, people in their households, and family or friends first in an emergency situation.  When asked who will provide assistance in the days following a disaster, people were "very confident" of others in their household (66%), family and friends (58%), neighbors (42%), and then local emergency responders (37%).  

Click here to read the full report.