Interest in the Partnership emerged from both the public and private sectors following the Rhode Island Showcase State announcement in late 1998. The Oregon State Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team (IHMT) continues to lead state agency interest as a part of their missions in identifying hazards and reducing public safety risks. Based on the pilot Showcase State Program in Rhode Island, Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), determined that an in-state coordinator for the program is necessary to sustain momentum of the initiative and to coordinate implementation of the disaster protection strategies developed by the public/private partnership.

The initiative is bolstered by the ongoing work of Oregon Natural Hazards Workgroup (ONHW) at the University of Oregon's Community Service Center. The Partnership provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate how state and local governments, the insurance industry, and academia can work together to promote awareness of natural hazard risks and associated risk reduction strategies

On December 12, 2000, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed an Executive Order designating Oregon a "Showcase State for Natural Disaster Resistance & Resilience." This Executive Order follows a model developed and tested in Rhode Island by the IBHS, an initiative of the insurance industry engaged in communication, education, engineering, and research of natural hazards. Oregon's Executive Order builds upon the sound foundation established by the state's land use planning laws, building code requirements, emergency preparedness planning, hazards assessment, and other policies and programs.