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SUBJECTS › PUBLIC SAFETY › EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT › About Emergency Management Planning in Washington
Updated 04/07

About Emergency Management Planning in Washington

Emergency management in Washington State is authorized by the laws contained in Chapter 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 Chapter 118-30 WAC.

A Study of Emergency Management at the Local Program Level: Final Draft ( 309 KB), Taskforce on Local Programs, Washington State Emergency Management Council  September 2, 2004 - A strategic assessment of the ability of local and tribal emergency management organizations to effectively provide for all phases of comprehensive emergency management.

Washington State Emergency Management Division