SALEM (AP) - Oregon is further along than other coastal states in tsunami and earthquake planning, but more needs to be done, coastal emergency managers told lawmakers at a "tsunami summit" at the state Capitol.

Officials hope the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean that left tens of thousands dead or missing will spark interest in better preparing Oregon. Scientists estimate a 15 percent chance for a similar quake and tsunami off the Northwest coast in the next 50 years.

"I know that interest is fading in that event," Gov. Ted Kulongoski told the summit, "but we have to keep this concern on the front burner to ensure that our citizens are safe."

Much of Thursday's two-hour session was devoted to current levels of preparedness in coastal communities - and what improvements are needed.

On the positive side, the officials pointed to sophisticated evacuation maps being developed by state geologists, and the efforts of some coastal towns to prepare their residents.

Darci Connor, the tsunami outreach coordinator for Seaside, said a $50,000 federally funded project she directs has taught residents how to prepare for a tsunami. The program has been used in all 88 of the city's blocks in the past few months, with several workshops held for businesses and schools. Seaside will hold a tsunami evacuation drill at noon April 16.

"The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive," Connor said. "Residents now know what to do whether they are at home, work or at school."

But there is much room for improvement, the attendees said, including the need to develop volunteer teams to help emergency officials during a major nearshore quake and tsunami. The group also said that more and bigger evacuation maps should be widely available, cities and schools should stage tsunami evacuation drills, and emergency managers should identify alternate transportation routes in case main roads and bridges are disrupted.

Other priorities were to organize the fishing fleet to offer help because the coast could be cut off from the valley for weeks.

Only a few lawmakers joined Kulongoski at the event.

Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, said he didn't take the poor attendance as a sign of waning interest in tsunamis.

"What we're waiting for is specific recommendations from this group," he said. "Most of the legislators understand the importance of this issue."