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Depoe Bay committee to inventory caches, clean water barrels and pursue EOC communications upgrades
Summary
Committee members assigned detailed inventory work for two emergency caches, scheduled a work party to clean water barrels and discussed options for satellite phones, Starlink internet and lockbox access to improve emergency operations.
The Depoe Bay Emergency Preparedness Committee agreed to create a pod-specific inventory of two emergency caches, set a work session to clean and sanitize water barrels and a trailer cache, and pursue improved communications equipment for the local Emergency Operations Center.
Speaker 1 asked for a precise inventory that specifies which pod (cache) holds each item; Speaker 2 and Speaker 3 confirmed that food is in one cache and sleeping bags and other gear are in the other and assigned the task of adding pod columns to the spreadsheet inventory. "If everything's on that list, it's in those pods," Speaker 3 said, and committee members agreed to complete the pod-by-pod inventory so the council can be shown exactly what is available.
The committee heard reports that some water barrels and a trailer cache were in poor condition: "Those water containers are in there. There's no water in them. They're putrid," Speaker 3 said, and members agreed to a work party to pressure-wash, sanitize, paint and restore the trailer and barrels. The fire department was identified as a possible partner to sanitize and fill water barrels for emergency use.
On communications, Speaker 2 reviewed satellite-phone options and Starlink-style internet, noting recurring service-plan costs and the need to test the systems if purchased. Members debated whether to buy one unit for a single cache or to equip the EOC; Speaker 2 said staff would research costs and bring options to the next meeting.
Security and access: The committee discussed lockbox and combo-lock options for cache access and agreed to pursue a practical solution (combo or keypad) while deciding who will hold codes or keys.
Next steps and tasks: Committee members will (1) complete a pod-specific inventory that includes perishable-expiration notes, (2) schedule a cleaning/work session to sanitize the trailer and water barrels, (3) research satellite/Starlink costs and a testing plan, and (4) recommend a lockbox/lock approach and access protocol to the council.
Quotes: "I think that's gonna come into effect when it comes to the medical supplies," Speaker 4 said about perishable items and tracking expiration dates.
Budget context: Speaker 2 noted a small county grant ($2,500) had been awarded for caches in support of supply purchases; committee members said additional funding sources would be explored before purchasing higher-cost communications equipment.
