(07.27.21 - Lincoln County)
Lincoln County Health and Human Services (HHS) and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) have selected Jessica Palma as their new County Assistant Emergency Manager, effective August 1st. The assistant position is a grant funded position through the Oregon Health Authority for Public Health Emergency Preparedness program and the Office of Oregon Emergency Management for Emergency Management Performance Grants.
In January of 2014 Lincoln County Public Health and the Sheriff’s Office aligned both the public health and the County emergency management programs under the direction of Jenny Demaris, County Emergency Manager. This collaboration allowed the streamlining of program functions and the full time hiring of the assistant position to assist with support of both programs.
Ms. Palma has served the Lincoln County communities for the last 8 years; 6 of those working for Lincoln County Public Health. With a bachelor's degree in Community Health Education and as a Certified Prevention Specialist, her passion is helping local communities strengthen their health and resiliency. Over the past 18 months Palma served as a critical team member to both the Public Health COVID and Sheriff’s Office Echo Mountain Complex Fire response teams. She looks forward to continuing to serve Lincoln County communities assisting them for preparing, responding to, and recovering from all emergencies.
A strong focus of this position is to liaison with the public health community partners, promote advocacy relationships with those that serve vulnerable populations, continue to build up the Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer program and encourage the promotion of preparedness efforts and development of response plans.
Florence Pourtal, Public Health Director stated, “It is very exciting to have Jessica transfer from our Health and Human Services team; she brings with her the necessary toolbox of public health preparedness skills, resources and a passion for helping communities with preparedness and resiliency planning.”
Lt. Adam Shanks, Administrative Lieutenant commented “We were very pleased with the interview panel’s recommendation to select Jessica as the Assistant Emergency Manager and feel her local knowledge of our County and county services will provide for a smooth transition to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.”
Jenny Demaris, County Emergency Manager stated, “having EM Palma join our Emergency Management Team will be another asset to help our communities prepare, respond and recover from disasters; her enthusiastic outlook and eagerness to build relationships among the health partners will serve Lincoln County well as we move forward in strengthening our community resilience.”
Jessica Palma, BA
Assistant Emergency Manager
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management
225 W. Olive St.
Newport, Oregon 97365
jpalma@co.lincoln.or.us
(541) 265-0657 Office
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Respectfully submitted,
Virginia "Jenny" Demaris
Emergency Manager
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management
225 W. Olive St.
Newport, Oregon 97365
vdemaris@co.lincoln.or.us
(541) 265-4199 Office