Emergency Services seeking volunteers for July 12 exercise

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer

The Tribe’s Emergency Services Department is planning a wildland fire evacuation and reunification exercise from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, on the Tribal campus and areas of Willamina, and organizers are looking for volunteers.

“We need as many of the community members participating to make this as real as possible,” Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Brandy Bishop said.

Time commitments are for approximately an hour or two the day of the exercise, Bishop added.

“This exercise will benefit the community as a whole in that it will provide a great way to see if the plans we have in place are accurate and will efficiently and effectively meet the goals and objectives,” she said. “If we can figure out what works with our plans and what does not, we will be better equipped to make the necessary decisions and put the needed resources in place to make sure that we can respond appropriately in the time of need.”

During the exercise, people can expect to see lots of movement of emergency personnel including fire, emergency medical services and police in the areas of Grand Ronde and Willamina, Bishop said.

“Tribal Police will be testing their protocols for public information and warning notification of threats, and the evacuation levels and zones affected,” she said. “They could be out in their vehicles using loudspeakers to make sure that everyone is getting the messaging necessary. Fire and EMS will be out and about helping the Tribal Police as well as helping with evacuations if needed.”

Additionally, the Oregon Department of Transportation also may be on the roadways from Grand Ronde to Spirit Mountain Casino and possibly in Willamina. They may simulate closing roads and direct traffic as needed during the exercise.

To volunteer, e-mail brandy.bishop@grandronde.org or call 503-897-1837.

Additionally, there will be two exercise planning community meetings held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 23, and at noon on Wednesday, June 28, at the Tribal Community Center. All are invited to attend and learn more.