MANAGING FOR VISITOR SAFETY AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DURING A PERIOD OF HEIGHTENED ERUPTIVE ACTIVITY AND UNCERTAINTY

On September 23, 2004, the onset of earthquake activity at Mount St. Helens added renewed emphasis to the meaning of the term ‘active volcano'. Over the days and weeks that followed, as the signs of an impending eruption increased, forest managers' understanding of volcanic processes and levels of organizational preparedness had to increase as well. On-staff science expertise at the Monument and a history of close collaboration with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory were key to the success of our collective response. A high level of public and media interest required the rapid establishment of a multi-agency Joint Information Center to provide regular news conferences both at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest headquarters and at the volcano. This included on-site staffing of a “satellite city” composed of up to 24 satellite trucks and numerous print media from around the world. During October 2004, the Monument's on-line “volcano cam” received more than 131 million hits.

Uncertainty about the magnitude of the potential eruption and size of the affected area led to the establishment of a Joint Operations Center staffed by local, state and federal emergency response personnel. Contingency plans that had been developed in the wake of the 1980 eruption were updated to deal with uncertainties about the size of emergency response needed and the level of fiscal resources available in the absence of a state or federally declared emergency.

Lessons learned include the importance of multi-agency collaboration and contingency planning. Key ingredients include regular plan updates, emergency response drills and rapid mobilization of resources to provide for public safety and effective information programs.