Benton County Emergency Management, in coordination with Morrow and Umatilla counties, the states of Washington and Oregon, the U.S. Army, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed plans to respond in the unlikely event of an accident at the Army's Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD).  The plans are designed to help protect area residents, specifically those living within the Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ) near the Depot.  The formal name for the program is the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). 

You are the key player in any emergency preparedness plan. If you live in one of the EPZs around the Depot, you need to know what actions you might be asked to take if there is an accidental chemical release.

Every six months Benton County Emergency Management and the Washington State Emergency Management Division produce a report on CSEPP projects completed by each of the two agencies.  Click here to see the latest report.

Each year, local emergency officials provide a calendar to all residents living inside the UMCD EPZs.  This calendar contains important emergency information in both English and Spanish about what steps you need to take to protect yourself and your family if there is an accident involving the release of chemicals from the Depot.  If you live in one of the emergency planning zones around UMCD and have not received a copy of the current year's calendar, please call us.  In Washington, call (800) 841-7953.  In Oregon, call (877) 367-2737.

WHO IS AT RISK?

An accident at the Army’s Umatilla Chemical Depot involving the release of chemicals into the surrounding community is very unlikely. However, Benton County Emergency Management, the Umatilla Chemical Depot, and the Washington State Emergency Management Division are working together to prepare people in the unlikely event of a chemical release at the depot. 

The CSEPP Zone Map shows the designated Emergency Planning Zones in southern Benton County. There are two types of zones: Immediate Response and Protective Action.

The Immediate Response Zone is the area closest to the Umatilla Chemical Depot. People who live in this zone may have to take action immediately to protect themselves, if advised to do so by county officials. The Immediate Response Zones in the southern portion of Benton County, include the communities of Plymouth and Paterson which are approximately six to seven miles from the Depot.  It consists of two sectors:

	Sector J is the area between Highway 14 on the north and the Columbia River on the south, and Highway 221 on the west and Christy Road on the east. Sector J includes the community of Paterson.
	Sector K is the area between Highway 14 on the north and the Columbia River on the south, and Christy Road on the west to Plymouth Road on the east. Sector K includes the community of Plymouth.

The Protective Action Zone is further away from the Umatilla Chemical Depot. The people in this zone will have more time to take action, if necessary. It has three sectors:

	Sector U includes the area between Klickitat County on the west to Highway 221 on the east, and from Sellards Road on the north to the Columbia River on the south.
	Sector V is bounded by Highway 14 on the south, Sellards Road on the north, Highway 221 on the west and Plymouth Road on the east.
	Sector W is the area from the Columbia River on the south to Locust Grove, Bateman, Owens and Kirk roads on the north. On the west side the boundary is Plymouth Road. On the east side the boundary is Finley Road.

There is also a Marine Safety Zone (Sector M), which includes a portion of the Columbia River. It runs from Juniper Canyon (River Mile 305) on the east, down river to the west end of Crow Butte State Park (River Mile 262).

The cities of Tri-Cities, Prosser, Walla Walla, and other surrounding Washington communities are not considered at risk from an emergency at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

HOW WILL PEOPLE BE TOLD ABOUT AN EMERGENCY?

If there is an accidental release of chemical agents from the Umatilla Chemical Depot, people will be warned by a number of ways:

	SIRENS: Twenty outdoor warning sirens have been installed along the Columbia River in southern Benton County. The sirens will blare a three-minute steady tone followed by verbal information and instructions in both English and Spanish. The sirens are tested on the last Tuesday of every month at noon. The monthly test begins with a message broadcast from the siren in English and Spanish announcing that it is only a test. Following that announcement, a 30-second chiming sound is transmitted (instead of the three-minute steady tone) followed by a follow-up message in English and Spanish stating it is only a test.
	TONE ALERT RADIOS: Tone Alert Radios have been delivered to residents and businesses within the Emergency Planning Zones in southern Benton County. In the event of an accident, the radios will sound a tone that increases in volume for 23 seconds, followed by information and instructions in both English and Spanish. The Tone Alert Radios are also tested on the last Tuesday of every month immediately following the siren test. During the Tone Alert Radio tests, a tone will sound for eight seconds (instead of 23 seconds in a real emergency) followed by a message in both English and Spanish stating that it is only a test. If you live in one of the emergency planning zones around UMCD and do not have a Tone Alert Radio or have questions concerning their use, please call us.  In Washington, call (800) 841-7953. In Oregon, call (800) 307-7708.
	EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS): An emergency message with information and instructions about the emergency in English and Spanish will be broadcast over commercial radio and television stations. The primary EAS stations for Benton County are KONA at FM 105.3 and AM 610. A test of the Emergency Alert System is conducted once every month.
	HIGHWAY MESSAGE SIGNS: Ten strategically placed Highway Message Reader Boards will flash warning messages to travelers.
	HIGHWAY ADVISORY RADIO SYSTEM (HARS): Signs with flashing yellow lights will advise travelers to tune their radios to a specific station for emergency instructions.
	MARINE BAND CHANNEL 16:  Commercial river traffic on the Columbia River will receive emergency information from a Coast Guard broadcast on Marine Band Channel 16 every 15 minutes.

WHAT WILL PEOPLE BE ASKED TO DO?

If you live within the Emergency Planning Zones in southern Benton County you will be asked to take one of these actions:

TURN ON YOUR RADIO: You may be told to listen for further instructions. This will happen if the situation at the Umatilla Chemical Depot is not currently threatening the area where you live. Follow theses steps if you are asked to listen for further instructions: Tune your radio to KONA at FM 105.3 or AM 610. Make sure you or someone in your family keeps listening to the emergency broadcasts.  Refer to the NEW 2006 CSEPP Emergency Preparedness Calendar for detailed information. (If you do not have the new calendar, call BCEM at [800] 841-7953) Make sure neighbors and others outside know about the emergency. Stay off the phone, unless you need to call 9-1-1 with a life-threatening situation. Emergency personnel need phone lines to remain open. Prepare to evacuate or shelter in place, if asked to do so by county officials.

EVACUATE: You may be asked to evacuate the area. Follow these steps if you are

         asked to evacuate:

• Know the sector where you live or work. See CSEPP map. (The sector is identified on the top of

• your Tone Alert Radio)

• Make sure you are in a sector that is being evacuated.

• Tell neighbors and others who may be outdoors about the EAS message to evacuate.

• Close off all sources of outside air in you house such as windows, doors, vents, and dampers.

• Turn off all stoves, heaters and air conditioners.

• Take your disaster supplies kit and any other items you have gathered.

• Take pets with you. You cannot keep pets with you at Assistance Centers, but arrangements may be made with the American Humane Society of Benton-Franklin counties to care for your pet during the emergency.

• Leave food and water for pets you are unable to take with you.

• Prepare ahead of time. Have a family emergency plan and disaster supplies kit. Keep at least one vehicle in running order and filled with gas. Make arrangements with a neighbor if you will need a ride.

• Drive carefully. Follow designated evacuation routes. There will be first aid stations located along the evacuation routes.

• Go to the ASSISTANCE CENTER nearest you. The Centers will be set up to provide first aid, meals, temporary shelter, information and advice, and other assistance. You are not required to stay at an Assistance Center, but you are encouraged to check in so officials will know you have evacuated. 

Assistance Centers will be located at:

Housel Middle School, 2001 Highland Dr., Prosser

If school is in session at Paterson Elementary School, students will be taken to the Housel Middle School in Prosser. They will remain there until parents pick them up.

 

Southridge High School, 3320 South Union Loop Road, Kennewick.

 

NOTE:  The location of Assistance Centers may change.  Ensure you listen to official announcements from local emergency officials to confirm their actual location.

SHELTER IN PLACE: Follow these steps if you are asked to Shelter in Place: Make sure you are in a sector that is being asked to shelter in place. (Your sector is identified on the top of your Tone Alert Radio) Stay inside until county officials tell you it is safe to go out or until they ask you to evacuate. Close all windows, doors, and vents, including dryer vents. Turn off all sources of outside air, including fireplace dampers and heating or cooling units. If you have these materials and supplies, collect them to help you shelter in place—scissors, tape, plastic sheeting, towels (to put under doors), radio, flashlight, snack foods, and games and books. If you live in the Emergency Planning Zone in southern Benton County a Shelter-in-Place (SIP) kit containing scissors, tape, and plastic sheeting can be provided by Benton County Emergency Management. If you need a SIP kit, call BCEM at (509) 628-2600. Seal electrical outlets with duct tape, as well as other cracks and openings for utility lines. Bring pets inside and keep them there. Pick a “shelter room” to stay in. It should have no outside door and as few windows as possible. Seal the doors, windows, heating vents and other openings in your shelter room with tape and plastic sheeting. Place a damp towel at the base of any doors. Tune your radio to KONA radio FM 105.3 or AM 610 for information about the emergency and future instructions.

IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE EMERGENCY PLANNING ZONE: 

• Please stay off the phone, unless you need to call 9-1-1 with a life-threatening situation. (Emergency officials need the phone lines to remain free)

• Tune your radio to KONA FM 105.3 or AM 610 to monitor the situation. 

WHAT KIND OF EMERGENCIES COULD HAPPEN?

There are four emergency classifications that could happen at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, including

• A NON-SURETY EMERGENCY is an accident that does not involve chemical agents. 

• A LIMITED AREA EMERGENCY is an accident where chemical agents have been released but are not expected to spread outside the chemical storage area on the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Stay tuned to your local EAS station, KONA FM 105.3 or AM 610, for more information from Benton County Emergency Management.

• A POST ONLY EMERGENCY is an accident where chemical agents have been released but are not expected to go beyond the Umatilla Chemical Depot boundary. You may be asked to evacuate or to take shelter as a precaution. Stay tuned to your local EAS station, KONA FM 105.3 or AM 610, for more information from Benton County Emergency Management.

• A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY is the most dangerous kind of accident, where chemical agents have been released and may go beyond the Umatilla Chemical Depot boundary or have already done so. You may be asked to evacuate or take shelter. Stay tuned to your local EAS station, KONA FM 105.3 or AM 610, for instructions from Benton County Emergency Management on what action, if any, you should take.