Neighbors Team Up for Emergency Readiness Drill
- Hillsdale News
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 19
[July 18, 2025]
Submitted by Patrick Pangburn, Hillsdale Neighborhood Emergency Team
Note: This article describes a simulated emergency drill. No real injuries or disasters occurred.
On Saturday, May 31, the Hillsdale Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) participated in a city-wide emergency preparedness drill simulating a natural disaster. Nine NETs participated including one joining us from the Multnomah NET. This training scenario was part of Portland’s effort to build neighborhood readiness.
The imagined scenario was a tornado touching down along 18th drive between Sunset and Capitol. Damage, possible injuries and other hazards were "reported." The team lead assigned strike teams to investigate, intervene as needed and report back. The team lead then forwarded damage assessments to City Incident Command via the Hillsdale Amateur Radio (HAM) Operator (ARO).
Some of the simulated crises (called injects) included:
Power lines down, including one which was arcing causing a small brush fire
Multiple injuries reported at a housing complex. The facility manager was very reluctant to allow the team in to do search and rescue but later agreed after occupants’ privacy and confidentiality were guaranteed.
18th Drive blocked by a fallen tree close to Capitol.
A natural gas leak outside a private home.
An injured homeowner with a bad laceration. The spouse was unable to completely stop the bleeding.
An injured homeowner who fell through his roof while trying to cover it with a tarp.
A homeowner who needed a source of electricity for his oxygen concentrator. His back-up tank was running out. Here the team radioed the team lead who asked the ARO to radio out to other local teams to see if anyone had a small, portable generator they could let the homeowner use.
The drill provided team members with a good variety of experiences that they might encounter in a real disaster.
Photo captions: 1) The scribe dots all the “I”s and crosses the “t”s. The team uses FEMA forms to assure that the entire disaster is well documented 2) The amateur radio operator (ARO) stays in contact with neighboring teams and the city Incident Command Center. He is the voice of Hillsdale to the rest of the rescue effort 3) Hillsdale Team returns to staging area for a “hot wash” (How did we do ?)
How well are you and your family prepared for the next disaster to hit your neighborhood ? Do you think you might be interested in helping out in a disaster ? Check out the Hillsdale NET web page for more information about how to prepare yourself or possibly to be able to help.
Want help getting prepared? Email hillsdaleornet@gmail.com for more information.
