CSEPP to brief Kitzhaber on emergency plan

This story was published Fri, Dec 15, 2000

By Mary Hopkin
Herald Oregon bureau

HERMISTON - Gov. John Kitzhaber will be updated today on how prepared Umatilla and Morrow counties are to handle a chemical weapons emergency.

Members of the Oregon Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program's executive review panel put the final touches on a status report for Kitzhaber on Wednesday.

The governor appointed the 20-member panel in May to evaluate the community's emergency plans and report back to him before approval is given to start up an incinerator at the Umatilla Chemical Depot to destroy the aging weapons.

Kitzhaber must sign off on the county's emergency preparedness plans before any test burning can start at the depot.

Although the counties aren't fully prepared yet, Umatilla County Commissioner Dennis Doherty said they are gaining ground.

The counties are in the midst of upgrading their radio communications; completing emergency plans for medical personnel; training emergency response crews such as firefighters and emergency medical technicians, hospital staff and volunteers; and discussing protective measures with the Army, such as under what circumstances citizens would be asked to shelter-in-place or evacuate their homes.

The draft report says progress has been made in all areas, but more work is still needed in public outreach and some program improvements.

Before June, the Army and emergency workers will be conducting a series of drills and exercises to help prepare for June's final evaluation.

If emergency workers pass those tests and the panel is satisfied of the counties' ability to protect the community if a chemical release should occur at the depot, the panel will send a letter to the governor, who will tell the state Department of Environmental Quality that testing can begin.

Members of the panel are Echo Mayor Jeanette Bell; Umatilla Commissioner Doherty; Irrigon Mayor Linda Fox; Umatilla Mayor George Hash; Stanfield Mayor Tom McCann; Wanda Munn, representing Washington state; Boardman Mayor Thomas Meyers; Melinda Eden, of the Environmental Quality Commission; Chris Dearth, of Kitzhaber's office; Tom Johnson, Oregon Health Department; Umatilla County Sheriff John Trumbo; Hermiston Fire Chief Jim Stearns; Beverlee Venell, of the Oregon State Police; Morrow County Sheriff Verlin Denton; Robert Flourney, Citizen's Advisory Commission; Hermiston Mayor Frank Harkenrider; Stephanie Hallock, of the Department of Environmental Quality; Armand Minthorn, of the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla; and Morrow County Commissioner Terry Tallman.

 

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