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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? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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 CentersProvide Public Education on Hazards & PreparednessFacilitate & Develop Mitigation, Response & Recovery PlansExercise & Drill PlansTrain 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: www.wsema.com Email: [email protected]
Jim Hall, WSEMA President (Yakima)Cheryl Bledsoe, Legislative Chair (Vancouver)