ODF Sends Incident Management Team to Assist After Ice Storm

Lane County, Oregon- Members of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team (IMT) 1 have converged in Lane County to lend crucial support in the aftermath of the recent ice storm. While the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is renowned for its wildfire responses, the IMTs are adeptly trained in all-hazard response, ensuring readiness for diverse emergencies throughout the year.

In a unique collaboration, IMT personnel are actively engaging with local emergency management teams, sharing their extensive knowledge and experience. This strategic initiative aims to empower local personnel to sustain community support even after the IMT concludes its mission in Lane County. Beyond Lane County, ODF staff statewide are contributing to community recovery efforts, exemplified by activities such as clearing fallen trees.

State Forester Cal Mukumoto, who also serves as ODF’s director, expressed admiration for the multifaceted contributions of ODF, stating, “I’m still regularly in awe of all the ways ODF serves Oregonians. While our daily forestry work remains crucial, our involvement in emergency response and management continues to expand. I’m grateful for our trained personnel who can assist others in times of great need.”

This isn’t the first instance of ODF’s IMT members extending their expertise beyond wildfire incidents. In 2020, IMTs played a pivotal role in the statewide COVID-19 response, collaborating with the Office of Emergency Management.

More recently, in April 2023, ODF members were deployed to aid Curry County after a cyber-attack compromised their systems. ODF personnel have consistently supported emergency responses to hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, both nationally and internationally.

The deployment duration is initially set for a week, but the IMT remains flexible, potentially extending their stay based on the evolving recovery needs. For ice storm recovery inquiries, Lane County residents are encouraged to reach out directly to Lane County authorities.