In Portland, Oregon, leaders from multiple agencies convened at Portland International Airport for the 2026 Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) Senior Leadership Seminar. The focus was on enhancing coordination and preparedness for a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone event, a significant natural disaster risk for the Pacific Northwest.
Strengthening Regional Preparedness
The seminar, hosted by the Port of Portland, included senior-level discussions, scenario-based planning, and insights into federal and military support capabilities during catastrophic incidents. Attendees included senior leaders and planners from local, state, federal, tribal, and military agencies, with an optional afternoon networking session to support cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
Chief Dan Pippenger, Aviation Officer at the Port of Portland, emphasized the importance of preparedness for airport operations, noting that the new PDX was built to withstand major seismic events. He highlighted that workshops like this boost resilience through strengthened collaboration and communication, which are essential for regional partners to respond quickly, save lives, and maintain supply chains during a disaster.
Unified Planning and Collaboration
Participants engaged in focused conversations regarding current response plans, interagency coordination challenges, and opportunities to improve alignment across emergency management systems. The seminar reinforced the critical role of DSCA support in large-scale disaster response and emphasized the importance of integrated planning before a crisis occurs.
Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, stressed the necessity of strong partnerships for a Cascadia event. She stated that the seminar gathered leadership to ensure they are coordinated, informed, and ready to respond.
Leaders from the Navy, the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, and the Port of Portland also emphasized the importance of cross-agency collaboration. They noted that unified planning is essential for protecting communities and accelerating recovery after a major seismic event.
ODHS OREM Director Ed Flick elaborated on the role of sea-based operations, noting that sea services will play a key role in response to a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami in Oregon.
The DSCA Senior Leadership Seminar series, launched in 2010, provides a vital platform for enhancing regional readiness in high-risk areas such as the Pacific Northwest. Insights from this year’s session will inform ongoing planning efforts and strengthen the partnerships that support Oregon’s resilience.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
