Fairgrounds to host DHS resiliency-hub resources; board seeks to formalize county MOU

Bart Platt described a state-led resiliency hub program through the Oregon Department of Human Services that would station deployable resource "pods" — generators, air scrubbers, light towers and water filtration systems — at participating county facilities so they can be mobilized quickly in an emergency.

"We get these pods of tools to play with, but they highly encourage us to utilize them so that 5 years down the road, we get implemented in an emergency and everybody's looking around," Bart said, outlining the idea of using the fairgrounds as a regional staging point and training site. He said the program provides equipment at no cost to the county and the state will restock inventory as used.

Bart told members the county lacked a formal MOU with the state in the past and that creating those agreements was a priority to ensure the county is compensated for implementation and to clarify what each county is able to provide during a response. He also described plans to build site infrastructure — pads and roads — where needed to make staging and access practical and safe.

Board members expressed support, noting the hub would help Central Oregon counties share resources and increase readiness; they discussed next steps to integrate training and facility planning into fair operations and emergency exercises.