08:07:41 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:First of all, who is from a CSEPP state? 08:07:56 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Just say 'I am'. 08:08:02 PM Chris Brown:Myra and Chris are! 08:08:11 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:For sure! Anyone else? 08:08:25 PM Amy Sebring:(or just say <--) 08:08:37 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:We are in for a treat.... 08:08:43 PM Steve Crossland:Ignorence is bliss, what is a CSEP state? 08:09:10 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Just a moment Steve. You will find out....We are here to talk about the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)..... 08:09:47 PM Chris Brown:CSEPP stands for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. There are eight sites and 10 States. 08:10:11 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Let me give a couple of rules of order please.... 08:10:24 PM Steve Crossland:Gotcha. I am an EP Coordinator for a site that deal with chemicals, but not a chemical stockpile situation 08:10:36 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Please indicate you have a question by typing in a ? then wait to be recognized before asking.... 08:10:51 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:We have two very special guest tonight... 08:11:33 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Myra Lee is Director of Oregon Emergency Management...welcome Myra... 08:11:49 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Chris Brown is the CSEPP Manager for the OEM. So glad to have both of you here tonight... 08:12:01 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:First of all, Myra and Chris, would one of you tell us a little about the CSEPP program -- what is it, etc.? 08:12:39 PM Myra Lee:Hi thanks for asking us to participate. 08:13:19 PM Tom Sullivan:Thank you. I'll try to listen/observe for awhile. 08:13:54 PM Chris Brown:The program was created to specifically create a comprehensive emergency response/recovery to an off post chemical release. 08:14:20 PM Myra Lee:It involves 8 chemical weapons storage sites located in 8 states. 08:15:16 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:What is the state's role in CSEPP? 08:15:21 PM Myra Lee:In some local areas there was little to no emergency preparedness capability, so a lot of what exists now had to be built from scratch. 08:15:52 PM Chris Brown:In Oregon, this involves coordinating with two counties that surround the Umatilla Chemical Depot and with the State of Washington--a portion of which is in what we call the Immediate Response Zone (IRZ) roughly about a 15 mile radius from the depot. 08:16:14 PM Myra Lee:The state's are responsible for coordinating all of the planning at the local and state level and for integrating such plans into the overall all-hazards approach. 08:16:27 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:What is local government's role in CSEPP? 08:17:11 PM Myra Lee:The state also is responsible for pemitting for the construction, testing and burning of the chemicals. 08:17:21 PM Chris Brown:Also in Oregon, Oregon Emergency Management has the lead role in CSEPP. The program is entering its second decade as a federal program here. 08:17:51 PM Dennis Tate:How does the LEPC fit into CSEPP? 08:17:56 PM Myra Lee:The counties are responsible for developing their response plans, and an alert and warning system . 08:18:36 PM Chris Brown:As the CSEPP State Manager, working for OEM, I see my role as a liaison for both counties--here to assist the counties in the execution of their program. 08:18:43 PM Myra Lee:The LEPC in Oregon is informed about the progress of the planning effort but has little interaction in most activities. 08:19:21 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:What role does technology play in the CSEPP? 08:19:32 PM Myra Lee:We only have a single LEPC in Oregon. 08:19:34 PM Garn Morris:As an emrgency responder from Canada, we also have response duties on the USA side. What/where can we get info. on CSEPP? 08:19:58 PM Dennis Tate:Are the GIS/EIS systems of the LEPC and the CSEPP linked or combined? 08:21:03 PM Myra Lee:There is an automated decision support system that provides for modeling of any release, evacuation routing and what if scenarios. It is called the Federal Emergency Management Information System. It is very robust and data intensive, but very useful. 08:21:23 PM Myra Lee:EIS and FEMIS are not linked. 08:21:54 PM Myra Lee:FEMIS uses ArcVue to display and ArcInfo for modeling. 08:22:45 PM Chris Brown:Because the public needs to be notified within a very short time period that a chemical agent has been released off post, a complex public early warning and communication system has been put into place--at a cost of federal $$ approx $8.5 million. It includes a total of 42 early warning siren and 9 highway reader boards as the outdoor warning system. Soon we will have Tone Alert Radios (TARS) which are designed for indoor use. 08:24:05 PM Myra Lee:The counties were very instrumental in the development and user friendliness of FEMIS. They worked diligently at making it something that they could use effectively. 08:24:06 PM Chris Brown:We have created a LAN to connect our counties so that they can be simulanteously informed of critical decisions, which also reaches back to OEM HQ's in Salem. 08:24:10 PM Darryl E ParkerTFT:? 08:24:42 PM Amy Sebring:? 08:24:46 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Yes, Darryl. And Mr Morris had a question above. 08:25:01 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Darryl, go ahead. 08:25:09 PM Darryl E ParkerTFT:What frequency will be used for the TARs? Will they be linked to EAS? 08:25:42 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:(Garn Morris' question was about where he can get more info on CSEPP.) 08:26:33 PM Myra Lee:Mr. Morris, You can call Chris Brown in Pendleton, OR [CSEPP Manager] his # is 541-966-9640 and his e-mail is cbrown@oem.state.or.us 08:26:45 PM Claire Rubin:FEMA's web page is one source of info. 08:27:11 PM Chris Brown:Darryl: We are about to place our order for TARs and our specifications indicate that the "system must be programmed for the nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS)--hope this helps. 08:27:27 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Amy, your question. 08:27:31 PM Amy Sebring:Are all your counties on the the LAN Chris, or just those near depots? What is architecture of the LAN? 08:27:38 PM Myra Lee:You can also look at the Oregon Emergency Mgt web page at http://www.oem.state.or.us 08:27:57 PM Amy Sebring:(also http://www.fema.gov/pte/csepp1.htm ) 08:28:05 PM Chris Brown:Amy: Just those near the depot. 08:28:17 PM joe herring:Darryl, the 08:29:25 PM joe herring:Darryl, the TARS use the NOAA/SAME frequency 08:30:48 PM Darryl E ParkerTFT:So, does that mean that emergency messages pertaining to CSEPP will interrupt NWS transmissions? 08:31:22 PM joe herring:Darryl, yes 08:31:49 PM Myra Lee:One of the areas we are concerned about is how we all w[c]ould react to catastrophic situation that might cause an off-post release. This is still an area that needs to be explored further. 08:32:46 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Joe, are you from FEMA or where? 08:32:57 PM Steve Crossland:? 08:33:03 PM Myra Lee:We have learned many things in this planning process but multi-hazard response has not been addressed as well as it should be. 08:33:18 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Steve, your question. 08:33:25 PM joe herring:Yes, I'm from FEMA's CSEPP office 08:33:29 PM Chris Brown:Let me talk about the interagency coordination and planning involved in the program. First, IT IS CONSTANT. We have two states, 3 different counties--1 in WA State, several state agencies (DEQ, Health, DOT, etc.) , the Governor's office, and political representatives from the US Sentate/Congress to local State legislatures, down to Mayors, County Commissioners, Fire Chiefs, etc. . To keep everyone involved and informed is a significant challenge. 08:33:32 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Thanks, Joe. 08:33:41 PM Steve Crossland:How much interaction is there between the post (site) and communities that could be affected when it comes to planning? 08:35:57 PM Chris Brown:Steve: A lot. We are fortunate here to have a very active depot commander who works with me in attempting to keep the off post community informed/involved. They have an active "outreach office" in one the major towns where citizens can go to get everything from the status of construction, to the latest permit changes. 08:35:59 PM Myra Lee:This hazard also causes a highly emotional public response. It is very difficult to provide acceptable information when people are frightened by the scenarios painted by others. It is a real challenge. 08:36:58 PM Steve Crossland:? 08:37:21 PM Amy Sebring:? 08:37:31 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Steve. 08:38:04 PM Steve Crossland:Are the post's emergency plans available on-line to review? 08:38:20 PM Chris Brown:NO. 08:38:44 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:You are next, Amy. 08:38:47 PM Amy Sebring:What are the lessons you have learned in this effort that translate well to general emergency management, especially with RMP's (aka worst case scenarios) coming down the pike pretty soon? 08:39:36 PM Myra Lee:We use the term "Most Credible Event" rather than worst case... 08:40:27 PM Chris Brown:Lessons learned: Communication is critical-- must be trust and openess. Coordination across all jurisdictions goes hand in hand with teamwork. Confidence got to have it at all levels. Committment, not just in words, but deeds. 08:40:27 PM Myra Lee:Worst case in this situation might be something that none of us would ever be totally prepared to handle ..and the chances of something like that happening are miniscule. 08:40:32 PM Steve Crossland:The "most credible" is hardly the worst case. 08:41:10 PM Claire Rubin:? 08:41:13 PM Amy Sebring:(Congress/EPA term, not ours. Has nothing to do with likelihood by definition.) 08:41:26 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Claire, go ahead. 08:41:28 PM Myra Lee:No..but it represents something that is actually achievable and can be planned for with some reliablility that a response is possible... 08:41:53 PM Claire Rubin:EPA's RMP calls for worst case scenario, which has chemical industry quite concerned. 08:42:19 PM Amy Sebring:? 08:42:23 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Amy. 08:42:34 PM Myra Lee:We have had extensive discussions about worst case...for chemical weapons reponse the cost must also be weighed. If you can't truly identify worst case..you can't plan for it. 08:42:46 PM Amy Sebring:The CAR Capability Assessment noted a correlation between CSEPP states .... 08:43:17 PM Amy Sebring:and general over all preparedness. What kind of exercise schedule do you have in CSEPP? 08:43:46 PM Chris Brown:Remember--the mandate that the Army provide "maximum protection" means that in designing a system to do that --it must take the worst case scenario as it baseline. 08:43:58 PM Myra Lee:We do annual full scale exercises and numerous functional and table top exercises throughout the year. 08:44:21 PM Amy Sebring:Do you think this has impacted the rest of your program? 08:45:20 PM Myra Lee:Maximum protection, as defined at the federal level is something that is achievable and cost effective. 08:45:54 PM Myra Lee:I don't understand your question Amy. 08:46:19 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:(Ladies and gentlemen, just received a message about the use of acronyms. We have people online that do not know them. Please spell out in future discussion. Thanks.) 08:46:38 PM Amy Sebring:Was looking for a reason for the correlation in the CAR Myra? 08:47:13 PM Myra Lee:What did it state? 08:47:39 PM Amy Sebring:That those states with strong CSEPP programs and Radiological Protection Programs... 08:47:44 PM Amy Sebring:had better programs overall. 08:48:43 PM Myra Lee:I beleive this is true. We know that if we can eresolve the political and the technological problems associated with CSEPP and Radiological programs everything else looks easy.... 08:49:21 PM Myra Lee:We have learned a lot about the need to directly involve local elected officials in the process in order to gain good public policy. 08:50:08 PM Myra Lee:We also have learned that it takes everyone at ALL levels to reflect their concerns during the process and to be part of the solution. 08:51:04 PM Myra Lee:We say this for general emergency planning...but few experience it until they become involved in something that is as controversial as Chemicals and radiation. 08:51:22 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Myra, it seems that there is a great deal of interagency planning and coordination would be very desirable and perhaps that is one thing that is lacking in some other programs. Why can't the same approach be taken elsewhere to better programs? How do you get public officials involvled? 08:51:50 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Excuse long question? 08:52:19 PM Myra Lee:I have found that I must be personally involved with those elected officials. Otherwise they may not think it is important enough to take their time.... 08:53:09 PM Myra Lee:however, I spend over 50% of my time on this single program because it is so contrpversial and our Regional Director is also extremely involved. 08:54:15 PM Chris Brown:Avagene: 50% of my bosses time is "very" low. 08:55:08 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Is it fair to say that chemicals and radiation are of far more concern than the everyday brand of hazards and risk in every community? 08:56:09 PM Myra Lee:This is probably true except in those states with floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes....and what's left???? They are all critical. 08:56:09 PM Claire Rubin:? 08:56:23 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:I agree. Claire. 08:56:56 PM Amy Sebring:(Also see http://www- pmcd.apgea.army.mil/CSDP/ for Army's Chemical Disposal Program) 08:57:14 PM Jan Zastrow:I think the incident of the anthrax spores discovered in Denver a couple of months ago indicates the public panic surrounding this type of biological disaster. 08:57:36 PM Myra Lee:Good point. 08:57:56 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Let's get Joe from FEMA CSEPP in here. Joe, is it the lack of knowledge of chemicals and radiation that make this program so controversial? 08:58:33 PM Jan Zastrow:Nuclear, biological and chemical disasters are far more threatening in the public mind, maybe due to the media and the Gulf War, even though the likelihood of their happening is far less... 08:58:42 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:(Claire, sorry I jumped in ahead of you. Please get your question ready.) 08:58:42 PM Claire Rubin:Isn't is different for chemical and radiological substances in that their are owners or managers of those substances, which means a wlell financed and organized constitutency. No such clientele or constituency exists for floods, earthquakes etc. 08:58:58 PM joe herring:Yes, there are many misconceptions concerning the science and the threat. 08:59:49 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:(That is an excellent point, Claire.) 08:59:57 PM Jan Zastrow:Good point, Claire. 09:00:18 PM Myra Lee:Hi Claire, They may own it but there is no doubt that the expense of cleaning these things up scares everyone. If you say the Army is well financed...that's true...it's our money with which they are financed. 09:01:41 PM Myra Lee:We also pay the tab for the other hazards as well..unfortunately, we do it after the fact. 09:01:58 PM joe herring:The legal theory is that the individual who harbors the hazaradous element is liable if the hazardous element escapes his property. Strict liability. 09:02:31 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Well, folks, the old clock on the wall says our hour is up. It went very fast for me. ..... 09:02:52 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Myra and Chris, thanks. You did an excellent job for us. .... 09:02:57 PM Myra Lee:Thanks, this was very interesting and fun. 09:03:06 PM joe herring:Thanks Myra and Chris. Outstanding job. 09:03:13 PM Chris Brown:Avagene: Thanks from this end for the opportunity to participate. 09:03:29 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:I am sure we all know a great deal more about CSEPP. Thanks, Joe Herring and all our guests tonight. Good audience. 09:03:40 PM Jan Zastrow:Thanks for hosting this, Avagene, and for organizing such good presenters! 09:03:44 PM Avagene Moore EIIP: Hope you will all come back and be with us again. 09:04:03 PM Myra Lee:Be glad to. 09:04:06 PM Chris Brown:Anytime. 09:04:10 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:By the way, Jan Zastrow is going to host this one Thursday night soon. 09:04:20 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Jan, can you commit to a date? 09:04:30 PM Amy Sebring:We will have a transcript posted in the EIIP Virtual Library... 09:04:36 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:I am really putting her on the spot now. 09:04:43 PM Amy Sebring:in about a week. See the Live Chat Archive. 09:04:55 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Yes, this will be a good transcript. 09:05:02 PM Jan Zastrow:Thanks, I'd like to join as a participant another time or two before you put my feet to the fire, though! ;) 09:05:18 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Great, Jan. Whenever you feel comfortable. 09:05:30 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Remember next week... 09:05:53 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Dr. Louise Comfort does her paper on Tues May 12 1:00 PM EDT... 09:06:24 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Dr Wayne Blanchard tells us about FEMA's Higher Education Project next Weds May 13 Noon EDT. 09:06:43 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Join us then. Thanks so much everyone. Good night! 09:06:54 PM Myra Lee:God Night 09:07:19 PM Myra Lee:oops Good Night 09:08:05 PM Dennis Tate:Thank you all! Good night. 09:08:28 PM Jan Zastrow:Aloha and "mahalo" (thank you) from Hawaii! 09:09:33 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:thanks Jan and Dennis. 09:10:30 PM Amy Sebring:bye dennis 09:10:42 PM Amy Sebring:Steve you still there? 09:11:48 PM Amy Sebring:Hi Tom, didn't get a chance to say hello earlier... 09:11:56 PM Amy Sebring:did you enjoy the session? 09:12:50 PM Amy Sebring:I am going to say good night also.. 09:13:27 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:Tom, are you still here. 09:13:32 PM Amy Sebring:glad you could be with us. 09:13:50 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:I am really signing off now. We haven't had dinner yet and my husband is waiting. 09:13:55 PM Avagene Moore EIIP:bye