The Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay (EVCNB) will host a full-scale Community Shelter and Emergency Warming Center Exercise on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event, open to the public, will be held at the Nehalem Bay Fire Station meeting hall, located at 36375 Hwy 101, Nehalem, OR 97131.
Designed to test critical shelter operations, the exercise will cover registration, communications, feeding, dormitory setup, and medical functions, aligning with Tillamook County’s Emergency Operations Plan. Volunteers, including the Nehalem Bay Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), will simulate real-world emergency scenarios to prepare for disasters such as floods, power outages, or snowstorms. The MRC, coordinated by Velda Handler, will focus on injury and health care processes, demonstrating support for local clinics and shelters. An open house will offer guided tours, an introduction to the new MRC Response Trailer, and display tables with emergency preparedness resources.
Community members, shelter volunteers, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, and those interested in preparedness are encouraged to participate or observe. Drawings for “GoBag” items, including one fully stocked GoBag, will be held to promote personal emergency readiness.
Parking near the fire station is limited, so carpooling is recommended. Drop-off options are available, with street parking on 7th Street along the pickleball court and on the 700 block of H Street in Nehalem.
The EVCNB, founded in 2008, is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing community resilience. Its mission for shelters and Emergency Warming Centers is to serve as a “force multiplier” and provide surge support to governmental entities by partnering with facility owners to maintain pre-planned, short-term safe locations for emergencies. Through ongoing training, universal processes, and stocked supplies, EVCNB ensures readiness for Level 2 and Level 3 emergencies, fostering a community prepared to support one another in times of need.
