MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Emergency Management

Disaster Zone: Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

January 31, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Emergency Management

This blog post looks at the dangers of unreinforced masonry buildings.

Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies: 2019 Legislation

September 26, 2019 by Sarah Doar
Category: Emergency Management , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post looks at SB 5514, HB 1147, and SB 5012, three pieces of recent legislation that address how local governments and law enforcement should respond during active emergencies.

Shake It Up: Local Governments and Earthquake Preparedness

September 23, 2019 by Nina Forbes
Category: Emergency Management

This blog post offers concrete strategies that local governments in Washington can take to prepare for an earthquake, as well as plan for the post-recovery period.

Firefighting in the Wildland Inter-Urban Interface

May 2, 2019 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Emergency Management , Fire Protection

This blog post looks at the most challenging type of firefighting—where wild lands meet human development—and how some Washington local governments are attempting to mitigate risk in these areas.

Lessons Learned from Snowmaggedon

March 14, 2019 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Personnel Policies , Emergency Management

This blog post will address a few of the frequently asked questions MRSC received during “Snowmageddon” this past February.

Landslide Hazards: Regulating Them Can Be Hazardous

February 20, 2018 by Greg Wessel
Category: Critical Areas , Emergency Management

Landslides are common throughout the Pacific Northwest. Regulatory agencies and local governments must do their best to understand and document the hazard potential in their jurisdictions. Guest author Greg Wessel looks at the issue and the role of local government in hazard awareness and mitigation.

Emergency Planning 101

September 7, 2017 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Emergency Management

Does your community have an emergency plan? Is it strong enough and written in a way to serve as an organizing document during what is likely to be a tumultuous time? Consultant Lynn Nordby urges readers to follow the Scout motto and “Be Prepared”— for anything.

The Gorillas in the Room

February 14, 2017 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Human, Health and Community Services , Emergency Management

What does the Cascadia megaquake, the growing opioid crisis, and the lack of affordable housing all share in common? They can all be classified as "gorillas" in the room: big, overwhelming, and not about to go anywhere anytime soon.

Take Advantage of the End of the Year

December 1, 2016 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Emergency Management , Administrative and Elected Officials

The end of the year is typically a busy time for local governments, but it also offers opportunities to help orient newly elected officials and to review citywide emergency management plans.

The Christmas Storm Redux: 6 Lessons in Emergency Management

October 28, 2015 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Emergency Management

With winter storm season soon upon us, here are six tips for responding to emergency situations.

Oso “Extreme Event” Prompts New Look at Landslide Hazards Regulation

May 14, 2014 by Sue Enger
Category: Emergency Management

March 22, 2014 is a day that will be etched in the minds of many Snohomish County residents. On that day, the massive, muddy Oso landslide sped down a mountainside...

Biggert-Waters Act—Build Safer and Smarter; Sticker Shock Ahead for Floodplain Homeowners

April 29, 2013 by Sue Enger
Category: Emergency Management

In addition to April flowers and showers, floods are too often a harbinger of spring. Recent federal legislation significantly impacts local floodplain programs and future National Flood Insurance...

Creative Use of Emergency Communications Tool Saves Clark County Time and Money

March 14, 2013 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Emergency Management

In Clark County, response to a public health emergency sparked a creative solution that's saving time and money. It was an epiphany born out of crisis—the commonplace resource...