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:
| Event | NET Shifts Filled | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 February Storm | 15 | 1 | ||||
| 2024 January Winter Storm | 2 | 7 | 10 | 36 | 61 | |
| 2023 January-February Cold Snaps | 26 | 54 | ||||
| 2022 December Winter Storm | 8 | 77 | 17 | |||
| 2022 April Surprise Snow | 14 | 25 | ||||
| 2022 February Cold Snap | 14 | 11 | ||||
| 2021 December Winter Storm | 79 | 113 | ||||
| 2021 February Snow | 4 | 34 | 41 | |||
| 2020 December Cold | 8 | |||||
| 2020 January Cold | 2 | |||||
| 2019 Thanksgiving Winter Weather | X | |||||
| 2019 February Winter Storm | 24 | |||||
| 2018 February Winter | 17 | |||||
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, prep gear, make sure your family is good, comms with neighborhood/neighbors
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