Worker at a food pantry or food distribution center

Washington County Mass Care Training Series

As part of an ongoing effort to better prepare our community to deal with disasters, Washington County Emergency Management regularly hosts trainings for volunteers interested in disaster response and recovery, including both individuals and organizations. This year, our training series is focused on Commodity Points of Distribution (CPOD) operations.

What is a CPOD?

CPODs are places where disaster responders gather, sort and distribute life-sustaining supplies after a disaster. They tend to be high traffic, high throughput operations serving a lot of people in a short amount of time. Safe and effective CPOD operations require well-trained people that know how to keep everything organized and moving, and many supporting hands.

Series events

CPOD overview

Lunch & Learn

This Lunch & Learn provides an intro-level overview of Commodity Points of Distribution (CPODs). We will outline key roles and describe how CPODs fit into the broader mass care response at Washington County.

Wednesday, March 25
12:00pm – 1:00pm PST
Online (MS Teams)
Register for CPOD Overview


Washington County Mass Care Program Updates - CPODs

Webinar

As part of the regular Disaster Services Network quarterly meeting, we’ll provide a program orientation/update for staff and volunteers interested in supporting emergency mass care in Washington County, either at a county-managed or independently-managed CPOD.

Friday, April 17
10:30am – 12:00pm PST
Online (MS Teams)
Register for Washington County Mass Care Program Updates - CPODs


CPOD Fundamentals

Webinar

This intermediate-level course provides an overview of CPOD onsite management. We will provide an overview of key roles and functions opening, operating and closing a CPOD.

Thursday, May 28
1:00pm – 3:00pm PST
Online (MS Teams)
Register for CPOD Fundamentals


Client and Staff Interactions

Workshop

In this workshop, we will discuss and practice skills and techniques to defuse a situation before it escalates. Class will include scenario practice and tabletop discussions. Topics will include interpersonal communication strategies and managing team dynamics.

Saturday, June 13
9:00am – 12:00pm PST
TBD (in-person, Beaverton)
Register for Client and Staff Interactions


CPOD Onsite Management

Workshop

This full-day workshop combines discussion, role-playing scenarios, and hands-on activities to provide participants with skills for effective, on-site CPOD management.

This workshop is intended for local government, faith-based groups, non-profits, private industry and other volunteers interested in working in or supporting a CPOD in Washington County. CPOD Fundamentals training with Washington County, FEMA or the American Red Cross recommended but not required.

Saturday, July 11
8:00am – 4:00pm PST
Washington St Conf Center
102 SW Washington St, Hillsboro
Room 1203, 1204
Register for CPOD Onsite Management


Functional Exercise

This functional exercise will focus on on-site CPOD management, with a particular emphasis on access and functional needs. This exercise will involve small teams interacting with actor-clients in a simulated environment.

This course is intended for local government, faith-based groups, non-profits, private industry and other volunteers interested in working in or supporting a CPOD in Washington County. CPOD Fundamentals training with Washington County, FEMA or the American Red Cross recommended but not required.

Tuesday, October 13
8:00am – 4:00pm PST
TBD (in-person)
Register for CPOD Onsite Management