CSEPP = The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

It's mission is to enhance community emergency preparedness.

Recent disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and September 11, 2001 have vaulted the need for emergency preparedness into the national spotlight.  

Fortunately, the Oregon and Washington communities near the Umatilla Chemical Depot are recognized as being on the “leading edge” thanks to their local Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Programs (CSEPP). The planning, partnerships and equipment developed by CSEPP for a chemical emergency also benefited day-to-day emergencies.

As we move into 2006, CSEPP remains committed to the further improvement of public safety and individual protection for the people in the Umatilla area.

Why do we have a CSEP Program in Oregon and Washington?

The U.S. Army has safely stored this country’s chemical warfare agents for decades at seven U.S. Army installations around the United States. One of these installations is the Umatilla Chemical Depot near Hermiston, Oregon.

In 1985, Congress ordered the destruction of these weapons. Subsequently, in 1988 Congress ordered “maximum protection” of the public near the installations until the chemical weapons were gone. That was the beginning of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).  Our commitment is to improve the emergency response capabilities of communities that surround the Depot.

Many agencies and dedicated personnel make up the local CSEPP team. These include emergency management agencies in Washington and Oregon states; Umatilla, Morrow and Benton counties; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Department of the Army, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the American Red Cross.

CSEPP has brought more than $140 million to the states, tribal nation, and counties surrounding the Umatilla Chemical Depot in the first 13 years of the program. Take a look at some of the ways CSEPP has helped this area.

Training

Emergency responders, hospital staffs and emergency managers have completed chemical awareness, medical treatment and/or decontamination training. Emergency managers, firefighters, police officers, medical teams, school officials, hazardous materials response teams, the American Red Cross and the Army train together annually to test their response capabilities. 

Public Education

It is critical for citizens to know how they would be notified and what they should do in a chemical emergency. Since July of 2000 TV, radio and newspaper ads have provided useful preparedness information. In addition, calendars, brochures, videos, a website (www.csepp.net), and other educational material are available. Wally Wise Guy teaches children and adults how to stay safe in chemical accidents and Wally’s Clubhouse provides “hands on” training on shelter-in-place. Public information specialists from county, state and federal agencies, and the Depot are ready to answer your questions.

Facilities

Emergency Operations Centers in Umatilla, Morrow and Benton counties as well as the states of Oregon and Washington, are ready to coordinate response activities. They have state-of-the art computer software to track and forecast toxic plumes.

 A Joint Information Center in Pendleton, Oregon, is equipped to provide residents with timely information during an emergency.
 
A total of 26 key facilities inside the Immediate Response Zone (the area closest to the Depot) have been equipped with protective air-filtration systems. They include: 21 school and Head Start facilities and five public buildings.

In Irrigon, 852 homes have received air cleaning machines and special charcoal Recirculating Air Filters.

Equipment

A multi-part public warning system has been installed. It includes:

•     76 outdoor warning sirens,
•     19 highway reader boards to provide emergency traffic information,
•     More than 16,000 indoor tone-alert radios in Oregon and Washington homes and businesses, and
•     A Highway Advisory Radio system.

A total of 17,450 shelter-in-place kits (containing duct tape, plastic and instructions) have been distributed to homes and businesses in Oregon; and 875 in Washington.
 
Swing-arm barricades are installed at four Interstate 84 locations.
 
Continuing improvements to tactical communications equipment with backup systems -- including computerized emergency management systems, radio systems, and a telephone system – will help response officials coordinate information during the emergency.
 
Personal protective equipment including suits, boots, hoods and breathing apparatus has been distributed to at least 16 fire departments, three police departments, seven hospitals, and two emergency medical services groups in Oregon and Washington.
 
Three hospitals and four fire departments in Oregon are equipped to decontaminate people who may be exposed to chemicals.  Five Washington hospitals are trained in chemical awareness and seven decontamination units are available.

In summary

The Umatilla area is safer today, thanks to the leadership of Umatilla and Morrow counties in Oregon, and Benton County in Washington, along with their state and federal counterparts, in implementing CSEPP’s public safety program. This partnership will continue to maintain emergency readiness for residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity around the Depot until the chemical munitions are eliminated forever.