Benton County, Oregon

Making Benton County a Better Place to Live

http://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/ems/index.php?
Printed on May 18, 2013 @ 5:47 PM

Benton County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services

 We are composed of two primary efforts

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Office plans and directs emergency procedures to protect citizens from natural and human-caused disasters. We work on preparedness for emergencies including emergency response training and exercises and maintaining an Emergency Communications Center where response agencies coordinate actions and allocate resources in an emergency.

This office also develops plans concerning four major areas: response, mitigation, preparedness and recovery. Our goal is to limit Benton county’s exposure to emergencies and disasters while managing them when they do occur. Our office functions as an administrator and facilitator of the efforts in an emergency or disaster situation.

Search And Rescue (SAR)

SAR is a non-profit volunteer unit for the Benton County Sheriff's office. Currently there are approximately 110 volunteers. Volunteers are trained to search for and provide aid to people who are missing, lost, injured, or in imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes eight specialty units which are:

  • Air Wing  AVG                                    
  • Amateur Radio Emergency Service      
  • Corvallis Mountain Rescue                   
  • Crisis Support Team                              
  • Marys Peak Search & Rescue               
  • Region 3 K9 SAR
  • Sheriff's Mounted Posse
  • Sheriff's Office SAR Team
  • Tracking Unit
  • Wilderness Response Team

 

 

Benton and Linn Counties have joined together to offer a new public safety service to its residents.  Linn-Benton Alert is a notification system that can call or message residents to warn them of impending or occurring emergencies as well as provide critical life-safety instructions when they are needed most. Read more..

Search and Rescue Volunteer Units

If you are interested in volunteering with one of our Search and Rescue (SAR) units, check out their websites for more information by clicking on the patch. Complete and return this volunteer application and a unit representative will get back in touch with you.  For more information on the K9, Tracking, and Crisis Support Teams, contact our main office at 541-766-6864.
Corvallis Mountain Rescue Logo
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Logo
K9 Logo

 

 

Emergency Services Events/Training Calendar & Presentation Requests

 

May – Volcanoes and Avalanches

Volcanoes - During an Eruption
• Avoid areas downwind of the volcano.
• Stay indoors if possible. Close all windows, doors and dampers. Seal openings with plastic if possible.
• Put all machinery, animals and livestock inside a garage or barn.
• If caught in a rock fall, roll into a ball to protect your head.
• Avoid low-lying areas where poisonous gases are most dangerous.
• If caught near a stream, move upslope.


After the Eruption
• Volcanic ash consists of tiny jagged pieces of rock and glass. Ash can turn daylight into darkness, cause breathing problems, injuries, power outages, damage equipment and disable communications.
• Listen to a battery-powered radio for information.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a filter mask or wet cloth; wear goggles to protect your eyes; keep skin covered to avoid irritation or burns.
• Stay indoors until health officials advise it is safe to go outdoors.
• Avoid driving in ash fall.


What causes an Avalanche?
STEEP TERRAIN + UNSTABLE SNOW + A TRIGGER
• Almost all avalanches occur on steep slopes, which are prime spots for skiers and snowmobilers.
• Avalanches occur due to unstable snow conditions that may be formed when new or windblown snow overloads weak layers or because of rapid warming.
• Recognize warnings: recent avalanches, heavy snowfall in the past 24 hours, windblown snow and significantly warmer weather.
• Always check avalanche conditions before your trip. Consider purchasing a probe and shovel and renting a beacon (which requires specialized training).
• Carefully cross one person at a time and stay as far to the sides, not directly above each other.
• If you are buried, try to make an air pocket in front of your face and attempt to remain calm.

 

2013 Emergency Preparedness calendars are now available!

       

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