Unified Efforts: Corvallis and Benton County Unite for Wildfire Evacuation Drill

By Kristy Tallman

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The City of Corvallis and Benton County Emergency Management (BCEM) are teaming up to conduct a wildfire evacuation drill aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness within Benton County. Scheduled for Saturday, May 18th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, the collaborative effort seeks to simulate evacuation procedures and test communication systems to ensure a coordinated and effective response in the event of a wildfire emergency.

Residents evacuate as wildfires threaten their community, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and safety.Photo bygannett-cdn.com

Designated Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs) have been established to facilitate the drill. The County's TEP will be located at the Kalapuya Building on SW Research Way in Corvallis, while the City’s TEP will be stationed at the Northwest Hills Community Church on Walnut Street in Corvallis. Community Emergency Response Team volunteers will be actively involved in the drill to help coordinate the response efforts.

BCEM Manager Bryan Lee expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the City of Corvallis, emphasizing the significance of collaborative initiatives in bolstering community preparedness. "By working together, we can better prepare our community for emergencies and ensure that everyone is safe and informed," Lee stated.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency evacuation route notifications through the Linn-Benton ALERT system to receive all emergency-related notifications pertinent to their location. Detailed information about the exercise has been provided to participating households, and community members may observe increased traffic in the area as the evacuation drill unfolds.

In the event of non-emergency inquiries regarding the drill, neighbors are advised against calling 9-1-1 but are instead directed to contact the Benton County Call Center at 541-766-6200.

For those interested in learning more about the wildfire evacuation drill and how to participate, Benton County Emergency Management can be reached via email at emergencymanagement@bentoncountyor.gov or by phone at 541-766-6864.

For further information, please contact:

Benton County Emergency Management

emergencymanagement@bentoncountyor.gov

541-766-6864

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By Kristy Tallman

The Republic News

Source: Benton Co. Sheriff's Office