Local Emergency Planning Committee meets

OTHELLO – Newly elected Adams County Local Emergency Planning Committee officers are Chairperson, Rosenda Henley of People for People, Vice-Chair, Ruben Pruneda of Simplot and Secretary, Brad Horst of Othello Community Hospital.

During a committee meeting January 20, Adams County Emergency Management Director, Sandi Duffey, reported there were no hazardous materials incidents in Adams County since the last meeting (December). Duffey reported there were 234 incidents across the State in 2021.

Andy Brown of the National Weather Service Office in Spokane provided an overview of rainfall and drought conditions in Adams County, and provided a likely forecast for the spring. While Adams county remains under either sever or moderate drought conditions, the seasonal precipitation outlook, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is for above normal precipitation in the area for February thru April 2022.

Committee Chairperson Rosenda Henley provided an introduction and overview of her organization People for People, a regional transportation service in central and southeastern Washington.

There was some discussion concerning road and bridge closures in the county, and notifications from the county Public Works Department. The committee noted the efforts of Jennifer Saunders, Department Assistant at Adams County Public Works in making those announcements.