Emergency Management in Washington State: Our Capabilities, Our Challenges

When It Comes to Emergencies… We know what first responders do….. but what about Emergency Managers?

Today’s Objectives Who Are We? What Do We Do? Washington’s Recent Disaster History & Hazards? How You Can Help?

Where Are Emergency Managers? Counties, Cities, Special Districts & Tribal Nations Ports, Utilities, Transportation & Public/Private-Sector Critical Infrastructure Owners K-12 & Higher Ed throughout Washington in Camp Murray, WA Region 10 office in Bothell & Lynnwood

What Do Emergency Managers Do? During Emergencies? Collaborate, Coordinate & Communicate Collaborate & Coordinate – Support First Responders with Resources – Operate Emergency Operations Centers – Develop Common Operating Picture – Encourage & Connect Community-Based Recovery Efforts Communicate – Provide Alert, Warning & Community Notification – Manage Public Information Across Multiple Incidents – Advise & Inform Policy/Elected Officials

What Do Emergency Managers Do? Outside of Emergencies? Build Partnerships Throughout our Communities Ensure Readiness of Emergency Operations Centers Provide Public Education on Hazards & Preparedness Facilitate & Develop Mitigation, Response & Recovery Plans Exercise & Drill Plans Train Emergency Responders & Volunteers

Who Does What? Local Emergency Managers Directly support incident with resources Alert, Warning & Public Information Address Local Policy issues & Proclaim Local State of Emergency Coordinate with Community Organizations, Non-Profits & Businesses Coordinate state assets & overhead teams Mutual aid coordination across states Conduct damage assessment Declaration of Emergency to the President Coordinate federal assets Provide overhead teams & specialized help Manage Assistance & Recovery Programs

Washington’s Wildfires 2012 = Set New Records for Devastation U.S. Wildfires: Burn Area Expected To Double By 2050 according to Climatologists Study in Sept 2012

Washington’s “Common” Disasters Flooding, Landslides, High Winds, Snow/Ice Average = 1x year since 1950 Severe Storms Declared in 2012 (2x), 2011, 2009 (2x), 2007 (2x), 2006 (2x), 2003

Washington’s Catastrophic Future? Earthquake & Tsunami Threat ~ Cascadia Subduction Zone

Washington Challenges Emergency Management Lacks Sustainable Funding Sources. Many Emergency Management Programs are staffed part-time or in name only. We need a consistent Emergency Management System across the state. Without support, local jurisdictions will lose emergency managers & direct connectivity to their communities. Difficult to sustain programs which are less “visible” in emergencies to the general public.

How Can You Help? Be a Role Model of Personal Preparedness Encourage Business Continuity for long-term economic health of our state Support efforts to seek sustainable funding for local emergency management Make Washington State Disaster Ready & Resilient. Washington State Emergency Management Association (WSEMA) Website: Jim Hall, WSEMA President (Yakima) Cheryl Bledsoe, Legislative Chair (Vancouver)