At Apache we are committed to being a good neighbor. While the process of warning our neighbors during the release on August 28 worked well for the majority of our neighbors, it was not as effective for a few as evidenced by their failure to hear the "all-clear" siren. Therefore, to increase the effectiveness of our warning system, we commit to do the following:
conduct additional community meetings during the next 30 days to again inform residents about our Risk Management Plan and Shelter-In-Place;
place an informational Public Service Announcement in the local newspaper and on the local radio station on a monthly basis reminding the community how the Community Warning Siren works and what to do in the unlikely event the system is activated;
mail an information packet regarding the products used at Apache, pertinent emergency response methods, and access to Shelter-In-Place instructions and videos to over 900 St. David addresses within the next 30 days; and,
conduct an annual plant Open House.
To complement our ongoing communication initiatives, Apache will continue to:
as needed, mail the Apache Update to over 1,500 community and state residents as the main vehicle to communicate the latest activities at the plant;
secure community input from area residents through the Apache Community Advisory Committee;
actively participate in the Local Emergency Planning Committee & the St. David Citizens Committee;
conduct annual community drills to test emergency community preparedness; and
provide emergency preparedness educational workshops for students and teachers in our local schools.
We will continue to use the comments and suggestions of our neighbors and other area citizens to improve our communication. If you would like to provide additional input, please call Cindi Byrns at 520-720-2114, or Lyndon Denton at 520-720-2190.