UO Emergency Management - Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan

THE purpose of this natural hazard mitigation plan is to assist the University of Oregon in reducing its risk from natural hazards by identifying resources, information, and strategies for risk reduction. It will also help guide and coordinate mitigation activities on campus. Although it is impossible to predict exactly when disasters might occur or the extent to which they might affect the campus, the university can minimize losses from natural hazards through deliberate planning and collaboration within the campus community and with the City of Eugene, Lane County, and the State of Oregon.

A natural disaster occurs when a natural hazard impacts people or property and creates adverse conditions within a community. Natural hazards include: floods, earthquakes, coastal erosion, tsunami, volcanic eruption, severe winter storm, windstorm, drought, and wildfire. This plan focuses on the three natural hazards that could directly affect the University of Oregon, they are: earthquakes; floods; and severe storms (winter and wind storm).

In 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency selected the University of Oregon through a proposal submitted by Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) and Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience (OPRD) at the University of Oregon’s Community Service Center to receive a Disaster Resistant University Planning Grant. The CSC and its programs report to the Vice Provost as the project lead. The Community Service Center's role is to link the skills, expertise, and innovation of higher education with needs of communities and regions. Additionally, the CSC and ONHW are affiliated with the Planning, Public Policy and Management Department in the School of Allied Arts and Architecture. This project also utilized the InfoGraphics Lab (Department of Geography) to complete elements of the plan.