This page provides information and resources for Washington local governments on the emergency management policies and procedures that are mandated or recommended by federal and state law, including examples of local policy provisions. It is part a series of MRSC pages on Emergency Management and Disaster Planning topics.

Overview

Emergency management in Washington State is authorized by Ch. 38.52 RCW. The Washington State Military Department Division of Emergency Management administers the state emergency management program. State criteria for emergency management funds, workers, organizations, services and plans, and disaster recovery is outlined in Title 118 WAC.

Each political subdivision is authorized and directed to establish a local organization or to be a member of a joint local organization for emergency management in accordance with the state comprehensive emergency management plan and program (see RCW 38.52.070). More specifically, WAC 118-30-040 sets out the responsibilities of political subdivisions:

1. Each political subdivision must establish an emergency management organization by ordinance or resolution passed by the legislative body of the political subdivision. Two or more political subdivisions may join in the establishment of an emergency management organization.
2. Each political subdivision shall develop, promulgate and submit a comprehensive emergency management plan.
3. Each political subdivision shall submit an emergency management program paper annually to the director not less than sixty days prior to the beginning of the calendar year.
4. Political subdivisions that have joined together to form a joint emergency management organization may submit a single plan and program paper. Criteria for evaluating local emergency management/services organizations, plans and programs to ensure consistency with the state comprehensive emergency management plan and program is outlined in Ch. 118-30 WAC.

State Emergency Plans

The following emergency plans are from the Washington State Emergency Management Division website.

• Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) (2016)
• Washington Statewide All-Hazards Emergency Preparedness Strategic Plan (2011-2015)
• Washington State Emergency Operation Plan (2009)

Emergency Planning Resources

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness (2004) - A comprehensive source on individual, family and community preparedness
• Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (2010)
• Rebuilding for a More Sustainable Future: An Operational Framework

Other Resources

• Washinton State Emergency Management Association: Elected Officials' Guide to Emergency Management (2003)
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Fact Sheet on Obtaining and Using Employee Medical Information as Part of Emergency Evacuation Procedures - Consult ADA updates for changes in law.
• U.S. Department of Labor: How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations (2001)
• Infrustructure Security Partnership (TISP): Regional Disaster Resilience: A Guide for Developing an Action Plan (2011) - The RDR Guide is designed for use by any practitioner or expert who wishes to improve the capabilities of their organization or community to withstand major incidents or disasters. Typical users include local officials, emergency management and homeland security directors; energy, transportation management, and environmental protection officials; utility and business owners and operators interested in improving security outside their businesses, and faith-based organizations and non-profits serving people in need or having other community health and safety missions.
• American Red Cross: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messaging (2004)

Emergency Planning Topics

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

• The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide a system that would help emergency managers and responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines work together more effectively to handle emergencies and disasters. All Washington cities and counties needed to formally adopt the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by September 30, 2005 through an ordinance, resolution, or proclamation.

Continuity of Operations (COOP)

• Federal Emergency Management Agency Region Continuity of Operations
• King County Continuity of Operations Plan (2013)
• Walla Walla County Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) (2010)

Continuity of Government (COG)

• NFPA 1600: Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, 2013 edition, National Fire Protection Association - Requires registration for free access to publication
• Continuity of Government (COG) in Washington State:
  • Battle Ground Municipal Code Sec. 2.74.050 - Continuity of Government
  • Fircrest Municipal Code Ch. 2.08 - Succession of Authority
  • King County Delegation of Authority During Absence of Executive and Line of Succession (County Executive), Administrative Policy ACO 8-1-24 (AEO), 07/22/2009
  • Pierce County Code Secs. 2.118.042 and 2.118.045 - Succession of Authority and Continuity of County Government
  • Union Gap Municipal Code Sec. 2.88.020 - Line of Succession

Personnel - Reporting to Work in Declared Emergency

• Anacortes - Inclement Weather
• Mason County - Unusual Weather Conditions/Extreme Circumstances
• Olympia - Emergency/Disaster Reporting to Work, 10/2013
• Renton - Inclement Weather Natural Disasters, 2005
• Seattle - Compensation Conditions for Inclement Weather and Disaster Response
• Woodland
  • Exceptional Compensation: Declared Disaster Periods, 2010
  • Other Leave - Unusual/Inclement Weather Conditions, 2010

Assessment of Planning

• Emergency Management Self-Assessment Guide, Association of Washington Cities EM 101 Workshop, 2003
• Lessons From Katrina and Rita - What Major Disasters Can Teach Transportation Planners, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 04/2006 - Examines failures in hurricane Katrina and Rita emergency response and their lessons for transportation planning

Proclaiming a Disaster or Emergency

Statutes

• RCW 35.33.081 - Cities and towns less than 300,000 population
• RCW 35.32A.060 - Cities more than 300,000 population
• RCW 36.40.180 - Counties
• RCW 38.52.070 (2) - All political subdivisions
• Other
  • Ch. 42.14 RCW - Continuity of Government - Provisions for conducting business in the event of an enemy attack
  • WAC 246-100-070 - Enforcement of Local Health Officer Orders

Policies and Ordinance Provisions

• Poulsbo Municipal Code Ch. 2.60 - Emergency Proclamations
• San Juan County Code Sec. 2.48.100 - Disaster Declarations
• Spokane Municipal Code Ch. 2.04 - Civil Emergencies
• Vancouver Municipal Code Ch. 2.12 - Emergency Management

Local Government Proclamations

Many of these examples are from the last decade, but they serve as illustrations of the various disasters declared by local governments

• Des Moines Executive Order Proclaiming an Emergency - Earthquake, passed 02/28/2001
• Grandview Water Emergency Proclamation No. 2001-03, passed 04/2001
• Lake Forest Park Resolution No. 1099 - Rescinds emergency declaration of 12/03/2007
• Mountlake Terrace Resolution No. 491 - Declares an emergency - Snow conditions, passed 12/29/1996
• Tacoma Resolution No. 33303 and Proclamation of Emergency - Flooding and mudslides, passed 02/1996
• Wilbur Resolution No. 355 - Declares an emergency - Extreme snow with possibility of flooding, passed 01/07/2009
• Woodland Resolution No. 569 - Declares an emergency - Flooding, passed 01/20/2009. File also contains: Declaration of Emergency State of Civil Emergency dated 01/06/2009, Delegation of Authority to Incident Commander and Incident Command Team, dated 01/07/2009

Obtaining Services, Supplies and Materials

• Emergencies in The County Bidding Book for Washington, Municipal Research and Services Center Report No. 56, Revised, 2014
• Emergencies in The Bidding Book for Washington Cities and Towns, Municipal Research and Services Center Report No. 52, Revised, 2013
• Mutual Aid and Interlocal Agreement Handbook, Washington State Emergency Management Division, 2009
• Emergency Relief Program, Washington State Department of Transportation, Highways and Local Programs

Debris Removal After a Disaster

• Debris Management Guide, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 07/2007
• Focus on Disposing of Storm and Flood Debris, Pub. 07-02-002, Washington State Department of Ecology, 01/2007
• Emergency Tree Removal Procedures - Storm Cleanup, MRSC

Agencies and Organizations

Washington State Agencies and Organizations

• Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division
• Washington State Emergency Management Association

Federal Agencies

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• FEMA Region X
• Federal Highway Administration Emergency Transportation Operations
• DisasterAssistance.gov - U.S. Government site that combines the disaster resources of several federal agencies in one central location.
• StormReady, NOAA National Weather Service

National Organizations

• The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) - A non-profit partnership to be a national asset facilitating dialogue on domestic infrastructure security and offering sources of technical support and sources for comment on public policy, related to the security of the nation's built environment.
• International Association of Emergency Managers