Thanks to a one time grant received from Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), Multnomah County IDDSD will be offering FREE natural disaster emergency kits to enrolled clients between October 2024 through February 2025. Each eligible IDDSD client will select one (1) emergency kit and one (1) portable power station. Distribution will prioritize clients in home settings, including houseless and newly housed individuals whenever possible.
About the kits
The emergency kit is a 1 person, 7 day emergency supply kit in the form of a backpack or roller bag and clients will have selection of either option when choosing their kit. Clients and their families will be responsible for storing and maintaining the kit for future use, including the addition of personalized items like medication, glasses and other necessary items for the client. The IDDSD program has provided additions to these kits including: an emergency wool fire blanket, a pop up solar light, and an emergency water filter straw.
The portable power station is a Duracell 300 watt unit designed for home or outdoor use as backup power for home electronics, mobile devices, lighting, and other small electronics. It is 8.5 x 6.2 x 6.3 inches and weighs 7.5 pounds. Once charged (the item will fully charge in 5 hours), it will provide about 47 hours of lighting time or about 4 laptop charges. It should be recharged every 3 to 4 months to remain ready for emergencies. We know this kind of unit can make a difference for clients and their families when the power goes out in order to keep phones, tablets and other items running.
How to get your kit!
Distribution events will be scheduled and announced via email, through each client's Services Coordinator with IDDSD, and via mailed outreach with the US Postal Service. There will be distribution events for these kits over several upcoming dates at various locations throughout the Portland Metro area. At these events, clients, along with their families and/or a provider (on behalf of the client), can choose 1 emergency kit and/or 1 portable power station, and the process will require a signature for the receipt of these specific item(s). Family members or providers may pick up the item(s) on behalf of the client, and some Services Coordinators can make arrangements to deliver these items directly to the client at home if the client is unable to attend one of the distribution events. SIGN UP FOR A DISTRIBUTION EVENT HERE
What to expect at a pickup event
At each distribution event, you can expect to be asked for the client's name whom you are picking up the kit for. Staff will need to look up the client to ensure they qualify for a kit and confirm they have not already received one. They will ask for your relationship to the client and are required to submit a note in the client's file documenting how the kit was distributed to you. After this fact has been verified and documented, they will give you the kit. The kit and portable power unit are in boxes. We will have staff that can assist you in bringing the kit supplies to your car if you drove to the distribution site. We will also assist you to open the box and wear the backpack or roll the bag if that is your choice. We will also have a QR Code Handout for you that has helpful sites and videos about what is in your kit.
You may leave or stick around and visit with other families or staff, but please be respectful of space and noise. At some times during the distribution event, you might have to wait in a line. We are sorry, but it is sometimes an expectation for distribution events. We will do our best to meet your needs and assist you with a chair if you need to sit down. Just let us know. We want the experience to be as helpful as possible!