Several relatives of the victims of the 1944 igloo explosion that killed six depot workers attended a memorial service Monday at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.
The March 24 ceremony coincided with the exact anniversary of the event in 1944. Depot Commander Lt. Col. Kris Perkins honored the “service and sacrifice” of those who died when 264 500-pound bombs in igloo B1014 exploded at 9:29 p.m. He also highlighted their “families’ sacrifice.”
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monthly CSEPP Siren and Tone Alert Radio Test Tues, March 29
The monthly test of tone alert radios and warning sirens in southern Benton County will take place Tuesday, March 29, 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 http://ow.ly/4oEy3
Friday, March 18, 2011
Umatilla Chemical Depot Receives Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Award
The U.S. Army’s Umatilla Chemical Depot in Oregon received the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2010 Military Conservation Partner Award recognizing an extraordinary conservation partnership that, among other highlights, has provided numerous conservation benefits for the burrowing owl and long-billed curlew.
Rowan Gould, the Service's Acting Director, made the announcement at the 76th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, citing the Depot’s exemplary partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, tribal governments, and non-government organizations.
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Rowan Gould, the Service's Acting Director, made the announcement at the 76th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, citing the Depot’s exemplary partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, tribal governments, and non-government organizations.
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Guest speakers at 1944 Memorial Ceremony March 21
Umatilla Chemical Depot, Hermiston, Ore. – Don Barclay, Deputy Director of the Army’s Chemical Materials Agency, Aberdeen, Md., and Maj. Gen. Raymond Rees, Oregon State Adjutant General, will be the guest speakers at a memorial ceremony, Monday, March 21, to honor those who died in a 1944 igloo explosion.
CMA oversees six chemical weapons depots across the nation. Gen. Rees commands the Oregon Army National Guard. This will be the 67th anniversary of the event and the first time
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CMA oversees six chemical weapons depots across the nation. Gen. Rees commands the Oregon Army National Guard. This will be the 67th anniversary of the event and the first time
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Final touches being made on rinsate system
Installation of the Rinsate Collection System (RCS) is complete. All the piping, mechanical equipment and electrical lines have been installed, and just a few minor touch-ups remain to be completed. System testing has begun and will continue for the next couple weeks. The system was designed to collect rinsate, or water, used to break up sludge, known as “heel,” from ton containers during the agent removal process. Prior to this system’s creation, rinsatewas pumped into an empty “recipient” ton containerand then processed through the Metal Parts Furnace (MPF).Once the RCS is operational, rinsate will be transferred directly to the tanks shown above and then processed in one of the two Liquid Incinerators (LICs). Following Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approval, the system is expected to go into operation in April.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Depot Ceremony to honor those who died in 1944 explosion
Umatilla Chemical Depot will honor the six workers who died in a 1944 igloo explosion on Monday, March 21, the 67th anniversary of the event.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in Bldg. 54 and end at the site of the explosion. Family members of those who died and the public are invited.
The 1944 accident was the only fatal munitions handling accident in the depot’s 70- year history. The depot received its first conventional munitions in October, 1941 on the eve of World War II, and stored conventional ammunition throughout World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The depot began its current mission of chemical weapons storage in the early 1960s and continues that tradition today.
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The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in Bldg. 54 and end at the site of the explosion. Family members of those who died and the public are invited.
The 1944 accident was the only fatal munitions handling accident in the depot’s 70- year history. The depot received its first conventional munitions in October, 1941 on the eve of World War II, and stored conventional ammunition throughout World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The depot began its current mission of chemical weapons storage in the early 1960s and continues that tradition today.
More
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility starts maintenance window Feb 17
The Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility will pause processing of HD mustard ton containers and prepare for maintenance to its Metal Parts Furnace, starting today. This annual maintenance was scheduled for May and moved forward due to needed maintenance on the inner furnace door. The maintenance is expected to last 14 days.
During this maintenance a cooling coil for an inner furnace door will be replaced and piping will be run for the Rinsate collection system, which is expected to be operational in April.
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During this maintenance a cooling coil for an inner furnace door will be replaced and piping will be run for the Rinsate collection system, which is expected to be operational in April.
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