Winter Weather and NETs: Policies, Processes, and Procedures

This article covers, as comprehensively as possible, all policies/processes/procedures related to NETs deploying in response to winter weather. The audience for this article includes both NETs and City of Portland employees.

Background

NET volunteers have an historic role responding to inclement winter weather, and have served in a variety of positions. In winter events from 2013 to 2025, NETs have:

Policies for NET Deployment

Never share volunteer PII

Appropriate Deployments

Remember FLSA...nothing anyone would be paid for, paid employees take the first shifts when OT is offered

Only PBEM deploys NETs

Safety

Nothing they haven't been sufficiently trained for (which is subjective, but still...)

Make winter weather appropriate clothing a factor of their PPE

Consider PPE carefully for each deployment

Someone with PBEM MUST BE be established for PAR for non-shelter and non-EOC deployments (ideally for all winter weather deployments)

Clear NET deployments with Safety Officer and also inform FPN leadership