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What emergency plans are in place?
In the unlikely event of a chemical accident involving mustard agents at the Umatilla Army Depot, County Emergency Management officials have designed an emergency response plan that can be put into action on a moment's notice. This plan is exercised and updated on a regular basis. Your County Emergency Management office has also planned for a variety of natural disasters, including flash floods, wildfire, severe winter weather, and earthquakes.  

Notification
  • The Army will notify county 9-1-1 dispatch centers. Dispatchers will activate the community alert and notification system, including sirens, highway reader boards, and the Emergency Alert System, to notify residents near the accident site.
  • Dispatchers will also notify emergency response personnel, city and county officials, and other local officials using an automated call-out system. The system broadcasts to a network of alphanumeric pagers and also calls up to four telephone different numbers from each person to be notified until it receives a response.

Decision
  • Emergency Management officials, under the direction of the County Commissioners, will initially tell everyone near the depot to shelter-in-place (take shelter indoors).
  • A decision to evacuate may also be made.

Action
  • Emergency response workers could be dispatched to assist residents. In an evacuation is called for, the American Red Cross will establish reception centers and mass care shelters for evacuees.
  • Traffic will be blocked off on all roads entering the area.
  • Authorities will warn and possibly evacuate boaters on the river between Hat Rock State Park and Crow Butte State Park, on the Columbia River.
  • County officials have the authority to request assistance from state authorities and to declare a state of emergency and curfews.
  • County Officials will continually assess the situation, and take response actions as required.

Page updated: December 30, 2008