State of Oregon and the Coquille Indian Tribe collaborate on emergency preparedness exercise, highlighting evacuation assembly point capabilities

Eugene, OR – According to the state officials, tribal, county, state, and local agencies gathered recently to participate in an emergency preparedness exercise in Southwest Oregon, showcasing their ability to set up and operate an Evacuation Assembly Point (EAP). EAPs serve as critical short-term staging areas during emergencies like the Cascadia earthquake and tsunami, providing space for evacuees to gather while responders organize evacuations and deliver aid.

The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) supplied the EAP equipment, which includes essential resources such as food, water, tents, and medical supplies designed to support up to 100 people for two weeks. The Coquille Indian Tribe will store the equipment on their land, housing it in metal shipping containers for rapid deployment.

“The Coquille Indian Tribe is excited to take on this responsibility, which demonstrates the power of partnerships between sovereign entities for the common good,” said Chair Brenda Meade. “This effort aligns with our commitment to lead in the community and to prepare for emergencies that could impact both our Tribal citizens and our neighbors.”

This marks the third deployment of EAP equipment by OREM along the Oregon Coast, with other sites located at the Tillamook Municipal Airport and Newport Airport. These coastal locations were selected due to their likelihood of becoming isolated in the aftermath of a Cascadia earthquake, making rapid access to emergency supplies crucial.

“I’m grateful to the Coquille Indian Tribe for hosting this exercise and for their willingness to stage these resources,” said Ed Flick, Director of OREM. “Coastal communities are a priority for housing EAP equipment, ensuring they have immediate access to critical supplies in times of crisis.”

### Emergency Demonstrations Highlight Response Capabilities

The exercise included several mass care demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the collaborative response to large-scale disasters:
– **United States Coast Guard**: Conducted medical extraction and search and rescue operations.
– **CERFP (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Disaster Response Force)**: Demonstrated mass care triage capabilities.
– **Scappoose Fire Department**: Showcased the use of unmanned aircraft systems for disaster response.

These demonstrations underscored the importance of coordinated efforts and advanced tools to support communities in the face of potential natural disasters. The event served as a critical step in enhancing preparedness and resilience across Oregon’s coastal and inland communities.