Lahar Drill May 4, 2017

April 28, 2017

Dear Orting Staff and Community,

On Thursday, May 4th, we will be conducting our annual lahar evacuation drill beginning at 9:30am. All students and staff will be participating in the drill. As in a real lahar situation, all students and staff who are medically unable to walk will be transported to higher ground by bus. All elementary students will evacuate from their school and walk a predetermined route to the Soldier’s Home and then return by bus to their school. Students at Orting Middle School and Orting High School will evacuate their schools and then walk to and from the Soldier’s Home.

The district is partnering with several agencies including the City of Orting, Orting Police Department, Orting Valley Fire and Rescue, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, and the US Geological Survey to develop a Mt. Rainier Evacuation Plan. We are practicing part of that plan as we implement our lahar drill. Staff have been trained and have assignments for the drill. Our district nurses and city medics are on-hand to respond to student and staff safety needs. Our first responders and district staff are blocking streets and safely crossing students.

We welcome parent volunteers. If a parent has completed the paperwork to volunteer, please check with your school office to volunteer. You will be issued a safety vest so that you are easily identifiable.

We are communicating about this drill in the following ways:
• Auto-caller home
• District reader boards
• Orting News
• District website
• District Facebook and Twitter
• Email to families
• Road signs

Parents can assist their students participating in the drill by ensuring your student dresses appropriately and eats a home or school breakfast. We would also suggest that your student bring a water bottle for the walk.

In addition to the lahar drill, the evening of May the 4th from 6:00-8:00 in the High School Performing Arts Center, we will be hosting a lahar preparedness event. Officials from the City of Orting, Pierce County Emergency Management and the US Geological Survey will talk about lahar preparedness in Orting. In addition, Colombian geologist Dr. Marta Calvache, Director of Geohazards Mitigations at the Servicio Geológico Colombiano will tell an encouraging story of effective lahar evacuation in Colombia.

Parents with questions may contact their student’s school directly. Community members with questions may contact the superintendent’s office at 360-893-6500.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep students safe!

Dr. Marci Shepard
Superintendent
Orting School District