Commissioner Joins Volunteer Pilots in Emergency Preparedness Exercise

On June 7, 2025, Commissioner Danielle Bethell participated in a survey flight with Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team (ODART) President Jim Origliosso. This flight was part of ODART’s 4th annual training exercise assisting emergency management teams in the case of a catastrophic level event. 

Volunteer pilots from the three main staging airports in Aurora, Albany, and Creswell flew over road infrastructure to conduct a visual survey of transportation routes and coastal airports to report back damaged areas to staging hubs. 

“Participating in an exercise like this is invaluable,” said Commissioner Bethell. “As a local leader who has experienced catastrophic natural disaster in the last couple of years, I understand completely what the value of having partners like ODART and others is. 

“I’m grateful for the willingness of these volunteers to give of their time and skill and to include me in any part of this exercise. While I hope we never have to use them, it’s great knowing that they exist and we are leaning in on the opportunity and partnership.”

Commissioner Bethell and Mr. Origliosso noted their observations through a “windshield survey” form and returned it to OEM managers for the exercise.