Cities of Umatilla and Mcnary Get Tone Alert Radios
Release Date: May 22, 2000
Release Number: R10-00-46
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Residences and businesses in the City of Umatilla and near the southeastern corner of the Umatilla Chemical Depot will begin receiving Tone Alert Radios this week. This is the fourth week of distribution since it began on May 2.
Radio Service Company, the distribution contractor hired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make distribution of the FREE radio in communities as part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, is starting distribution to Sectors B and E.
The TAR is designed to alert people who are indoors in the unlikely event of a chemical release from the Depot. It works in conjunction with emergency sirens and highway reader boards throughout the area and the Emergency Alert System that airs on local radio and TV to warn people. Sector B includes the Umatilla County cities of Umatilla and McNary and nearby areas. The northern boundary is the Columbia River. The west boundary is the Umatilla River. On the south the boundary is Punkin' Center Road. The east boundary is formed by Ott Road, Progress Road, Craig Road, Highway 730, South Box Canyon, and Box Canyon north to the Columbia River.
Sector E includes the Umatilla County area southeast and south of the Umatilla Chemical Depot. From the Morrow-Umatilla County line south of the Depot, the boundary runs south to High Line Canal then east to Butter Creek, north to the Umatilla River, to the Westland-Agnew Road intersection and then west to the Depot.
CSEPP Sector G continues to receive radios. Sector G includes the city of Irrigon and surrounding areas in Morrow County and an area from Paterson Ferry Road east to the Umatilla County line. The northern border is the Columbia River. The southern border is Interstate 84.
Distribution is complete in Sector A in Umatilla County. A "sorry we missed you" tag, printed in English and Spanish, was left on doorknobs of structures where nobody was available during initial delivery attempts. Residents or owners of occupied structures in Sector A who have not received a TAR should call (800) 307-7708 to arrange for delivery.
The entire distribution process in Oregon should take about six or seven months to proceed through Sectors E, F, B, C, H, D, and T. Complete geographical descriptions of each sector can be found in the CSEPP 2000 Public Awareness Calendar mailed last December.
North of the Columbia River, TAR distribution in sectors J, K, U, V, and W of southern Benton County, Wash., has largely been completed. That TAR program should not be confused with the ongoing one in Oregon.
Oregon residents will be contacted door-to-door weekday evenings until 9 p.m and on weekends. Businesses should expect installers during business hours. Installers wear special reflective vests and company identification badges. If a Radio Services Company identification badge is not readily apparent, people should ask to inspect the badge before admitting the individual. FEMA's Region 10 CSEPP office in Bothell, Wash., strongly recommends citizens NOT allow unidentified strangers into homes or businesses.
Recipients will be asked to sign for the radio. Each is programmed for a specific "sector" and must remain where it's installed for it to operate properly. A strobe light will be available for people requiring a visual means of notification. Some locations may require a second visit to install a special antenna or Braille buttons.
Technicians will inquire about a convenient place to install the radio. They should be installed near an electrical outlet and close to a window if possible.
Before departing the premises, installers will cover radio operation and provide an informational pamphlet about the TAR printed in both English and Spanish. Linguists are available to assist if Spanish is the primary language spoken.
Citizens may call toll free (800) 307-7708 if they have questions about the delivery schedule or the TAR itself. For questions regarding emergency preparedness or the CSEP Program, please call your county emergency management office (541) 922-4437 in Morrow County, or toll free in Umatilla County at (877) 367-2737.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Nov-2003 10:42:35