August 20, 2004

Folks a little jittery as incinerator at Umatilla prepares to start

Associated Press
HERMISTON, Ore. - People living near the Umatilla Chemical Depot in eastern Oregon are showing an increased interest in personal preparedness after last week's announcement that the site will begin burning its stockpile of chemical weapons soon.

That according to the depot's public relations' office in Hermiston.

Spokesman Steve Meyers says the office is getting more calls and more visits. He says it's not a dramatic increase, but it's noticeable.

People are asking what they should do if there's an accident when the depot starts moving chemical weapons from their protective bunkers. Others ask about emissions from the incinerator.

Communities around the depot have prepared for years for an emergency, and thousands of residents have picked up alert radios and shelter-in-place kits long ago.

The Army has delayed its scheduled start-up from yesterday until sometime next week.