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:

	Warming Facility Shifts	Homeless Services Shifts	EOC Shifts	Down Powerline Shifts	Snow Angel Shifts
2025.02.24

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

To broaden deployments, PBEM should purchase key PPE as resources allow for NETs (e.g. snow/ice traction devices)

General Winter Weather Prep for NETs

Set a kickoff date (mid November)

Update Everbridge

Initial kickoff communications

NETs Responding in the EOC During Winter Weather

Assistant EOC Manager

Deputy Planning Section Chief

Deputy Logistics Chief

Food Unit

Situation Unit Staff

Documentation Unit Lead

Documentation Unit Staff

Note-takers

Resource Unit Lead

NETs Responding to Warming Facilities

x

NETs Responding to Down Powerlines

x

NET Snow Angels

x

NETs Supporting Homeless Services

Warehouse logistics

Remote dispatch