Thursday, December 18, 2003

FEMA adds to CSEPP coffers

By JEANNINE KORANDA of the East Oregonian
jkoranda@eastoregonian.com


IRRIGON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced an additional $4.1 million in funding Wednesday for projects related to preparedness planning for the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

The projects, from the Chemical Emergency Stockpile Preparedness Plan, had not been completely funded, said Barry Anderson CSEPP program manager, FEMA Region 10.

“The $4.1 million made up the different in every line with the exception of the evacuation funding,” he said.

The money was in addition to $5.68 million previously allocated to projects.

Projects included in the $4.1 million include first responder medical equipment, tone alert radios, a 450 megahertz radio system, mobile communication enhancements, training, respiratory protection equipment and in-room filters.

Anderson presented the announcement late Wednesday afternoon at a meeting of the Oregon CSEPP Governing Board.

The area’s federal lawmakers, Sen. Gordon Smith, Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Greg Walden, participated in securing the funding, and announced it in a joint written statement Wednesday.

“It is critical that the Umatilla Chemical Depot be equipped with the right tools to protect workers and citizens,” Democrat Wyden said. “The money will help get the region closer to the careful closure of the facility.”

Republican Smith said, “Destroying these weapons as quickly and safely as possible is in the best solution for everyone involved.”

Walden said that it was adequate public safeguards must not be sacrificed for the sake of efficiency. “For this reason it is paramount that we spare no expense in preparing our communities to respond quickly and effectively to the accidental release of chemical agents.”

With the $4.1 million all the requested projects have full funding except $3.05 million for the Oregon evacuation infrastructure improvement project. The project was excluded because it requires a quantitative assessment and modeling of al alternatives and traffic management strategies under different scenarios be accomplished.

That exclusion was the source of discussion at the CSEPP Governing Board meeting.

Casey Beard, director of Morrow County Emergency Management, said the infrastructure project is an important component in public safety.

While the region’s response plan has primarily focused on shelter-in-place, that did not address the needs of those who might be traveling or shopping in Hermiston, for example, when an incident took place. Those people would need to evacuate, he said.

While there are existing north to south evacuation routes along Highway 395, improvements need to be made to the east and west evacuation routes, he said.

“The question is how to evacuate if we don’t have a plan or information,” said Chris Brown, state CSEPP manager with the Oregon State Police.

In other business the governing board also:

•Heard the 450 megahertz project was progressing, and all but two of the microwave dishes had been received. Meg Capps, the Umatilla County Emergency Management Director, estimated Motorola will begin working on the project in February.

•Mike Roxbury, fire chief of the Umatilla Fire District and chair of the steering committee dealing with first responders, reported that first responder units were receiving their systems to use the 450 megahertz communication system.

•Heard a report from Lt. Col. David “Doc” Holliday, about how an intruder incident on the depot grounds was handled. The intruder was never considered a threat because he was not armed and did not try to approach the secured areas containing the chemical agents.