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| SISKIYOU DAILY NEWS PHOTO/ JOHN DIEHM - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Inspector Karl Swanson, right, talks with PacifiCorp controller Doug Fessler, seated, during the Aug. 16 disaster preparedness practice scenario. Standing between them is Jim Wazlaw; seated on the left is Craig Lewis. |
YREKA - An 8.6 magnitude earthquake a half-mile from
the surface with an epicenter between Howard Prairie, Link River, and J.C.
Boyle Dams on the Klamath River is causing massive flooding, sending a 24 foot
high wall of water down the river threatening life and property.
Thus ran an August 16 scenario played out by PacifiCorp and local emergency
agencies under the supervision of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The entire fictitious event took place at the Miner Inn Convention Center in
Yreka and brought together numerous emergency response agencies to practice
the power utility's emergency action plan and help update it - just in case - it
is ever needed.
"Consideration of failures addressed by this plan does
not in any way reflect upon the safety, adequacy or integrity of any of the
Klamath River projects," said Joe Lamere, PacifiCorp observer. "The
dams are in good condition as inspected and certified by independent
consultants."
FERC observer Karl Swanson, from Portland, said the likelihood of the
practiced worse case scenario ever happening is extremely remote. However,
FERC requires that each of the regulated hydroelectric facilities have such a
plan for public safety.
He said previously the plans needed to be updated every nine years. The new
regulation is to update every five years.
Practicing the emergency action plan for PacifiCorps dams on
the Klamath River is part of the updating process. It is done under the
supervision of FERC and will result in a through evaluation leading to a
modified and updated plan.
Wazlaw said that the five years update is due and that this exercise has
nothing to do with FERC relicensing, now in process.
"Practicing the emergency action plan allows the company to see if they
have the right protocols in place in case of an emergency," said former
PacifiCorp employee Sally LaBriere, who now works as a consultant.
The command center set up in Yreka was a very busy place
during the two hour practice scenario. PacifiCorp's emergency controller, Doug
Fessler, was the main dispatcher for the emergency, using an array of radios
and telephones set up in the gazebo and directing the details of the scenario.
Inside the convention center were numerous tables, all with telephones, and
dozens of emergency responders receiving information about the developing
"incident" and directing resources to assist.
For example, the California Highway Patrol directed the closure of roads
affected and the emergency service division of the Siskiyou County Sheriff's
Department organized evacuations and emergency shelters. Other local agencies,
Indian tribes, and the weather service were also involved.
Jim Wazlaw, manager of environmental safety with PacifiCorp,
said that public safety relating to its electric generation and transmission
lines is a big department because PacifiCorp has 54 facilities in six states.
FERC observer Swanson said it is important to practice the emergency action
plan every five years to insure public safety.
"The critical part is public safety around the dams," he said.
"Just because they are there, we need to be prepared for any event."
Wazlaw said that public safety, including the updating of each facility's emergency action plans, is part of the business of providing electricity.