Weekly Status Update 5/27/10.

Agent Trial Burn on Schedule.  The mustard Agent Trial Burn (ATB) that began April 29 is on schedule to be completed before the end of June. The UMCDF team has completed Conditions 1and 2 of the Metal Parts Furnace (MPF) ATB.

Weekly Status Update 5/2710.

Washington Benton County Monthly Test of CSEPP Sirens & Tone Alert Radios

The monthly test of tone alert radios and warning sirens in southern Benton County will take place Tuesday, May 25, at noon. The test is conducted by Benton County Emergency Management and is part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) for the Umatilla Chemical Depot located near Hermiston, Oregon.

The first part of the two-part test involves the activation of the 20 CSEPP sirens located in southern Benton County near the Columbia River. When activated for the test, the sirens transmit a verbal message in English and Spanish stating that it is only a test followed by the sounding of the Westminster chimes. If there were an actual emergency, the sirens would blare a three-minute tone followed by instructions in both English and Spanish.

Immediately following the activation of the sirens, the tone alert radios are tested. The radios will sound a tone for eight seconds, followed by a verbal message in English and Spanish stating that it is only a test. If there were an actual emergency, the tone alert radios would blare a tone that increases in volume for about 25 seconds. The tone would be followed by instructions and information about the emergency in both English and Spanish.

Benton County Emergency Management conducts the tests on the last Tuesday of each month. Additional information on CSEPP can be obtained by calling Benton County Emergency Management at (509) 628-2600 or toll free at (800) 841-7953. CSEPP information is also available on the Internet at www.bces.wa.gov or www.csepp.net.

News Release

OREGON CSEPP Siren Test Cancelled for May 25th

There will not be a test of the Oregon Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) siren system the on Tuesday, May 25th . The sirens were tested on May 19th, the day of the CSEPP annual exercise. The sirens, as well as the tone alert radios and highway reader boards were used in the annual exercise.

May 24 News Release

Umatilla Chemical Depot Weekly Update, May 20

The Umatilla Chemical Depot, UMCDF and several agencies outside the depot participated in the annual full-scale Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) emergency exercise Wednesday.   Depot and UMCDF emergency workers practiced dealing with a chemical agent-related incident on the depot. The exercise began around 9:20 a.m. and lasted about six hours.

Along with UMCDF and UMCD personnel, off-post Emergency Operations Centers at various sites participated in the drill.

Full update

CSEPP Exercise May 19

** EXERCISE Umatilla CSEPP Exercise has begun! Participants report to duty
station. EXERCISE **
Pete Wells

The JIC is standing down 2:26 PM, May 19

UMCDF Weekly Update May 13 - CSEPP Exercise on Wed. May 19

The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) Exercise will be held on Wednesday, May 19. This annual exercise allows local, state and federal emergency response agencies to practice their response to a simulated event at the Umatilla Chemical Depot and to have that response effort federally evaluated.

This year’s exercise will include participation from American Red Cross, Benton County Emergency Services, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Hermiston High School, Incident Command Post (Hermiston), Joint Information Center (Pendleton), Morrow County Emergency Management, Oregon Emergency Management, Oregon Health, Umatilla County Emergency Management, U.S. Army Umatilla Chemical Depot, and Washington Emergency Management Division.

Full Report

Trace amounts of HD mustard chemical agent vapor detected in "igloo" May 13

Trace amounts of HD mustard chemical agent vapor were detected today inside a  storage structure or “igloo” that houses bulk containers. The leaking container will be identified, inspected, repaired as necessary, and decontaminated.

There is no danger to the public or environment. The igloos have a passive filtration system that prevents  chemical agent vapor from escaping outside the structures.

Press Release

CSEPP Exercise to be held May 19

The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) Exercise will be held on Wednesday, May 19. This annual exercise allows local, state and federal emergency response agencies to practice their response to a simulated event at the Umatilla Chemical Depot and to have that response effort federally evaluated.

Full release

Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility weekly project update -May 6, 2010.

 Weekly program update

 The Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (UMCDF) will have a new Project General Manager in a couple weeks. It was announced recently that Steve Warren will take over as PGM beginning May 17. David Reber, who has been acting PGM for the past two months, will continue his assignment to assist UMCDF to safely and compliantly.