To alert all affected public in sufficient time to safely implement protective actions.
To protect public in the event of off post release of chemical warfare agents stored at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.
Disseminate coordinated, timely and accurate information to the public using the media and technology, such as Web sites.
Emergency Public Information (EPI) supports the Incident Command System (ICS) by communicating critical health and safety information during emergencies or disasters. This responsibility falls on local, state and federal agencies to provide accurate, timely, appropriate, and easily understood information to the external audiences like the media and public, as well as internally to local, state, and federal agencies, jurisdictions, responders, and elected officials at all levels. Meeting this responsibility requires a Joint Information System (JIS) where all affected or supporting jurisdictions and agencies communicate using “one voice” to provide coordinated information. The JIS is designed to support the ICS under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National Response Plan (NRP). It works equally well for Single, Unified and Area Command structures.
According to the response plan, the Public Information Officers will follow the Umatilla JIS-JIC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) (See Appendix A); and work in conjunction with the five-part alert and notification system (ANS) consisting of: sirens, tone alert radios, highway message reader boards, highway advisory radios and emergency alert system messages through am/fm radios and local television stations.
The UPIG consists of Public Information Officers from the states of Oregon and Washington; Umatilla, Morrow and Benton counties; Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD); Hispanic Community Liaison (through the Umatilla-Morrow Education Service District) and a FEMA representative.
Communication will be relayed through the Joint Information System and/or Center (JIS/JIC).
To ensure that the public is alerted, in the event of a chemical emergency at the UMCD, the UPIG has set up a JIS to provide coordinated, timely and accurate public notification of protective action recommendations.
As defined in the NIMS document Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers (PIOs), "the mission of a JIS ... is to provide a structure and system for developing and delivering coordinated interagency messages; developing, recommending, and executing public information plans and strategies on behalf of the IC; advising the IC concerning public affairs issues that could affect a response effort; and controlling rumors and inaccurate information that could undermine public confidence in the incident response effort."
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Appendix A - Center Standard Operating Procedures | 958.09 KB |
| Appendix B - Center Overview | 138.96 KB |
| Appendix C - Center Gathering, Writing & Production Group Operating Guide | 178.12 KB |
| Appendix D - Center Dissemination Group Operating Guide | 187.99 KB |