James Moulsdale, Communications Chair
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Fire safety is a key focus in August especially here in southern Oregon where we will be in the peak of our wildfire season. The below information is from www.saif.com, California Department of Public Health Emergency and Evacuation Planning Guide for Employers and Oregon OSHA Oregon Occupational Safety and Health : Wildfires: Addressing worker concerns : Notices : State of Oregon
 
Wildfires are getting bigger, lasting longer, and happening more often in Oregon and across the western United States. In addition to the immediate harm from the fire itself, hazardous smoke travels well beyond the fire lines, putting people and businesses at risk.
Employees who work outdoors, have respiratory conditions or cardiovascular disease, smoke, or are pregnant have a higher risk of health impacts.
 
Follow these tips to be better prepared.
 
Before wildfire season:

• Include wildfire smoke events in your emergency response and business continuity plans. Find resources to create your plan.
• Communicate with employees about the potential effects of wildfire smoke and how your business is preparing.
• Designate essential personnel and duties.
• Plan for how to get employees to safer locations, or when to release them before situations worsen.
• Set aside adequate supplies of water, food, and personal protective equipment. Consider providing filtering facepiece respirators, such as  such as N-95 or N-100, for voluntary short-term use. Do not rely on paper or dust masks.

 
During a wildfire event:

• Monitor fire and smoke risk in your area. One resource is DEQ’s Air Quality Index.
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Shut down outside air intakes and allow air-conditioned buildings to operate on recirculated air. Change filters on HVAC units. Keep windows and doors closed. Reduce or eliminate other sources of indoor air pollutants, such as smoking or cooking.
• Relocate or reassign outdoor work activities out of the smoke zone.
• Cease work when air quality and/or visibility presents health and safety hazards.

 
In the unlikely event you must evacuate the workplace:

• Be familiar with the work site's emergency evacuation plan
• Know the pathway to at least two alternative exits from every room/area at the workplace
• Recognize the sound/signaling method of the fire/evacuation alarms
• Know who to contact in an emergency and how to contact them
• Know how many desks or cubicles are between your workstation and two of the nearest exits so you can escape in the dark if necessary
• Know where the fire/evacuation alarms are located and how to use them
• Report damaged or malfunction safety systems and back-up systems

 
Indoor air quality concerns

• Employers and workers who are concerned about indoor air quality during wildfire season should check a building’s ventilation system to make sure it has received routine maintenance, such as filter changes
• Workers who are experiencing problems breathing indoors need a way to report their concerns to management so those concerns may be addressed. A safety committee serves such a purpose. Oregon OSHA maintains standards for safety committees and safety meetings.
• Oregon OSHA offers consultation services, technical expertise, and other resources to employers who may need help in light of the potential workplace hazards brought on by wildfire season. Oregon OSHA encourages employers to take advantage of our no-cost, confidential consultation services, as well as our brochures and pamphlets, and video library.
• If employees are worried or believe their concerns have not been addressed, they may file a complaint with Oregon OSHA, which will evaluate it. Complaints may be filed online or by calling the nearest field office.

 

​As the president for the chapter year of 2025-26, please allow me to say hello and thank you for being a member of ASSP Southern Oregon Chapter. Whether you’ve been with us for years or have just recently joined the chapter, your membership matters. In fact, it’s the heartbeat of this chapter. Together, we represent a wide range of industries, experiences, and expertise, all bound by one shared goal: protecting people, property, and the environment. Your commitment to safety excellence fuels everything we do—from our meetings and professional development offerings to our community outreach and partnerships.
 
We’re proud to say that, thanks to your support and active participation, October saw yet another successful annual Safety Conference. This event brought together professionals from across the area to learn from top-tier presenters, explore cutting-edge solutions, and collaborate on the challenges we face every day in our profession. As I watched the level of engagement, collaboration, and enthusiasm from both attendees and presenters at the conference, I was reminded of what we can accomplish when we come together as a chapter.
 
But our work doesn’t stop there. We are constantly looking for new ways to grow and strengthen our membership so that more professionals can benefit from what our chapter has to offer. If you know a coworker, friend, or colleague who could benefit from the professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities provided through ASSP, we encourage you to invite them to join. Expanding our membership not only enhances our collective knowledge and influence but also helps us build a stronger, more resilient safety culture in our workplaces and communities.
 
As your Chapter President, I want to emphasize that this is your chapter. Your voice, your ideas, and your involvement help shape our success. We welcome your feedback on past events, suggestions for future speakers or topics, and any thoughts you have on how we can continue to add value to your membership. If there’s something you’d like to see us do, or do better, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our Executive Committee. We are here to serve and support you.
 
And if you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, now is a perfect time! Whether it’s helping plan an event, volunteering at a conference, speaking at a monthly meeting or conference, or volunteering on the executive committee, there are numerous ways to contribute that fit all levels of availability and interest. Volunteering not only helps the chapter—it also helps you grow your leadership skills, build your professional network, and make a real impact in the safety profession.
 
Looking ahead, we have an exciting year planned, filled with opportunities to learn, connect, and lead. Be on the lookout for upcoming meetings, training sessions, chapter events, and community outreach activities. We hope to see you there—not just as a participant, but as an engaged member of a professional family working together for a safer tomorrow.
Once again, thank you for your commitment to the ASSP and the Southern Oregon Chapter. Your involvement matters, and your presence makes a difference. Let’s continue supporting each other, learning from one another, and striving for excellence in all that we do.
 
Jeffrey Mook
President, Southern Oregon ASSP