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Emergency Management in Washington State: Our Capabilities, Our Challenges

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?

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Emergency Management in Washington State: Our Capabilities, Our Challenges

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  1. Emergency Management in Washington State: Our Capabilities, Our Challenges

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

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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Who Does What? 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 Local Emergency Managers

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Washington’s Catastrophic Future? Earthquake & Tsunami Threat ~ CascadiaSubduction Zone

  11. 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.

  12. 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: info@wsema.com Jim Hall, WSEMA President (Yakima) Cheryl Bledsoe, Legislative Chair (Vancouver)

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