Tone-Alert Radios Going Into Boardman
Release Date: July 13, 2000
Release Number: R10-00-Tone
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Boardman residences and businesses will begin receiving FREE Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Tone Alert Radio this week.
Distributors from Radio Service Company are making their way through communities near the Umatilla Chemical Depot delivering the special warning devices to all occupied structures. When nobody is home, a pink "Sorry We Missed You" tag, printed in English and Spanish, is left on the doorknob. The tag requests occupants to call 800-307-7708 to schedule an installation appointment.
Boardman is in CSEPP Sector T, one of nine emergency sectors that will receive the special radios designed to alert people indoors in the unlikely event of a chemical release from the Depot. The TAR works 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.
Residents are typically contacted door-to-door weekday evenings between 5 and 9 p.m., and on weekends. Businesses should expect installers during business hours. Radio Service Company acknowledges that many people have different schedules and that these hours may be unsuitable in individual cases. That's why Radios Service Company is encouraging people in Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, Echo, Stanfield Meadow, Echo Meadows, and Irrigon who haven't received a Tone-Alert Radio to make a call to 800 307-7708 to set up a delivery. Residents of rural Sectors E and F should also have received a Tone-Alert Radio now, and should call the 800 number if they haven't.
Deliveries continue in sector H east of Boardman, according to Radio Service Co., project specialist Mike Gerdes. 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.
Complete geographical descriptions of each sector can be found in the CSEPP 2000 Public Awareness Calendar mailed last December.
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.
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. The entire process takes only about 10-12 minutes.
Citizens may also call the (800) 307-7708 toll free number if they have questions about the overall 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. Additional Umatilla and Morrow County information is available on a dedicated world-wide-website at www.csepp.net.
Last Modified: Monday, 17-Nov-2003 13:01:35