By Don Backman
June 6, 2023
Residents along Tillamook Avenue in Bay City may have been surprised to see a semi-truck hauling a forty-foot-long steel shipping container turn into Watt Park. Watt Park is a city park on the site of the old Bay City school and the Bay City campus of Tillamook Bay Community College. The Bay City Emergency Volunteers (BCEV) is a group of Bay City residents who are concerned about the community’s preparedness for disasters such as forest fire, long-term power outages, wind events, and the predicted large earthquake and tsunami events, among others.
BCEV has established two sheds with supplies to help residents shelter in place after such an event.The new container, which is 40 feet long, will provide a much more secure storage area and additional storage space. Liane Welch, Bay City Manager, reported that “The idea was generated by Gary Frey, a member of BCEV. He put together cost estimates and eventually located the container that BCEV acquired.”
“BCEV applied for a grant from Bay City TLT funds and were awarded $12,528 with a match from BCEV of $4,127,” Welch said. “Public Works prepared the site. Gary and Hilda Frey, amazing volunteers, are installing insulation and coordinating the installation of a steel man door.”
This container will benefit both tourists and locals. Tourists traveling through Bay City, or staying at one of the many places in town, could be stuck in town in the event of a disaster. They would only have the few items that they may have with them. In a worst-case event, such as the predicted earthquake and tsunami, the container would hold supplies such as tents to provide shelter for tourists and residents alike.
“BCEV will continue to place emergency supplies and to work as a community to prepare for disasters,” Welch added. “It is important that the community prepare.”
David McCall, Bay City Mayor (at the time of this event – he is now being hired to be the new city manager) stated that “It’s important that as a city, we prepare for emergencies so that we can support both our citizens and visitors who happen to be here when disaster strikes. This container reflects that intent, and is a small, but important step towards that goal.”
The container is currently empty while the insulation is being installed. It will be connected to electrical power. It will take time to obtain the necessary supplies through donations and fundraising.
Locals need to continue to prepare by storing food, water, emergency shelter, and needed medical supplies to shelter in place for two weeks, and possibly for many months.
To join the Bay City Emergency Volunteers, contact City Hall or any one of the many volunteers, go to BCEVOR.ORG, or locate Bay City Emergency Volunteers on Facebook and use the contact form. Better yet, stop by the monthly meeting at 5:30 PM on the third Monday of the month in the City Hall. If the scheduled Monday is a holiday, the group meets on the Tuesday of that week.