Depoe Bay’s Emergency Preparedness Committee met on Sept. 8 to organize cache supplies, schedule a site survey for a proposed Stonebridge supply cache and finalize plans for a forthcoming public “Ask the Experts” preparedness event.

The committee set a work session to inventory and split items stored in two caches and a storage unit, and discussed materials and storage needs for water treatment and sanitation. Committee members also reviewed a preliminary site measurement for a cache location at Stonebridge and agreed to commission a formal site survey before completing a memorandum of understanding for use of the site.

Why this matters: the committee manages community emergency caches and outreach in Depoe Bay; taking inventory, confirming usable storage space and clarifying storage/dispensing procedures are practical steps toward making supplies available during emergencies.

Committee assignments and near-term decisions

- Inventory and split caches: Committee members scheduled a cache-sorting session for Sept. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to open sealed bags, confirm contents (sleeping bags, blankets, food items, water filters/“life straws”), and duplicate kits so each cache holds similar supplies. Joyce and Kathy volunteered to coordinate counting and packaging.

- Stonebridge site survey: City staff provided preliminary measurements indicating the cleared area could fit one 24-foot container without grading and possibly two side-by-side 24-foot containers if vegetation and gravel are cleared. The committee directed staff to order a formal site survey and detailed site plan before finalizing an MOU or committing to two containers.

- Water treatment and testing: Committee member Brady described options for on-site water disinfection, including chlorination tablets (noted as sodium hypochlorite/chlorine-based products) and recommended matching tablets with a chlorine residual test kit. The group discussed acquiring test strips and chlorination tablets and agreed someone would research correct tablets and compatible test strips; the transcript cited an approximate dosing rule (“about 1 tablet to 50 gallons”) but the committee said precise dosing and testing were required.

- Lime for wastewater disinfection: Greg explained that agricultural/field lime is used industrywide for disinfection and odor control and is recommended by DEQ for certain wastewater/disinfection uses. The committee agreed to store the lime in sealed buckets with desiccant packs and lids to keep it dry; members noted lime can be handled safely if stored properly.

- Roof coating and winter operations: Volunteers indicated they have coating product on hand and will coordinate power washing and coating of roofs when weather permits; materials and buckets with lids will be gathered for application.

- Culverts inventory: Brady reported the city previously purchased four culverts and is storing them at the wastewater facility. Members discussed practical limits — installation would require equipment and backfill — and concluded the four culverts on hand are sufficient for current planning; no additional immediate purchase was authorized.

Public outreach and event planning

The committee continued planning an “Ask the Experts” public preparedness event originally slated for Oct. 11. Organizers expect county emergency and legal staff, medical and insurance experts, radio operators and the Red Cross to attend or be invited. Samantha Buckley (listed in the transcript as a point of contact) will coordinate speakers and messaging; the committee will send speaker materials in advance so the county contact can incorporate them into its systems.

Members discussed logistics: tent/table layout, microphones and raffle/donor items, and selling preassembled “to-go” preparedness bags at the event. The committee agreed to finalize flyers and confirm speaker availability; if the Oct. 11 date is unavailable they expect to consider Oct. 4 or move to November after checking speakers’ schedules.

Other operational notes

- Yellow emergency barrels and display materials will be included at the public event; a committee member will present their contents and use.
- Volunteers will price and sell prepared “to-go” bags; committee members will confirm production costs before public sale to ensure costs do not exceed budget.
- Radio volunteers and local HOA contacts will be asked to promote the event and solicit questions residents want answered.

What remains undecided or requires follow-up

- Final Stonebridge layout and container count pending the formal survey and a decision on needed clearing/grading.
- Precise chlorine dosing and approved tablet products remain to be confirmed; the committee requested procurement of compatible test strips and clarified testing will be required before deployment.
- Final event date and confirmed attendance by county staff and the Red Cross remain pending speaker confirmations.

Ending: The committee scheduled its next regular meeting for early October (date to be confirmed after speaker coordination). The Sept. 19 inventory session and the formal Stonebridge survey were identified as the immediate next steps for logistics and site decisions.