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New Version of the Seattle Disaster Readiness and Response Plan (PDF - 50MB) Released
Volume Two of the Plan (PDF - 22MB) is now on line as well. This document contains more detail on individual elements. It is very long, but we have created bookmarks to help you navigate.
At least every four years local jurisdictions in the state of Washington are required by state law to update their comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP). A similar and corresponding enabling requirement exists in the Seattle Municipal Code, which states that the Seattle Disaster Readiness and Response Plan (PDF - 50MB) will be kept current under the direction of the Mayor.
To comply, the city has just updated its plan that on May 9, 2008 was formally certified by the Washington State Emergency Management Director. This latest update, which represents change 4 to the plan, was recognized by the state as the first plan in Washington to either "meet or exceed" all of the new standards instituted by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF), as well as continue to fully conform with the guidelines set out in RCW 38.52.70 and WAC 118-30-060.
While the former version was judged to be the fifth best plan in the country by the Department of Homeland Security in their National Plan Review, this iteration is intended to surpass that standard and to further the Mayor's mantra of making Seattle the most prepared city in the country.
Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Program
FEMA has released Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grants to the ten largest urban areas in the country. The City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management has stepped into a new leadership role to implement this Program in partnership with the larger Puget Sound regional colleagues. The Puget Sound Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Program (RCPP) is intended to enhance regional catastrophic preparedness, with the aim of strengthening the region against risks associated with catastrophic events. The Puget Sound Region includes the seven Puget Sound counties and select major cities located therein.
For more information on the program, go to http://your.kingcounty.gov/prepare/damage.
National Emergency Communications Plan Released
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released today the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) to address gaps and determine solutions so that emergency response personnel at all levels of government and across all disciplines can communicate as needed, on demand, and as authorized. The NECP is the nation's first strategic plan to improve emergency response communications, and complements overarching homeland security and emergency communications legislation, strategies and initiatives.
First Time Federal Money Available to Non-profits for Increased Security
Assistance now available to organizations at high risk of terrorist attack.
SEATTLE - Up to $100,000 is now available to non-profit organizations which can show they are at high risk of terrorist attack. The money is available via a new grant program administered by the Urban Area Security Initiative, part of the Department of Homeland Security. Money may be used to purchase and install security equipment or to train security personnel.
Non-profit organizations must apply for the grant money and be able to show a need for increased security. This can involve producing police and insurance reports or experiencing prior threats and attacks. Grant recipients will be required to provide a 25 percent matching soft grant derived from non-federal sources. Applications are available at www.metrokc.gov/prepare.
Lessons learned from December 2006 windstorm will help improve Seattle's emergency response
Mayor Greg Nickels has released a detailed review of the city's response to the historic December 2006 windstorm and pledged to implement all of the report's key recommendations to help prepare even more effectively for future emergencies.
The 55-page December Storm After Action Report examines what worked well and provides lessons learned - information key to improving Seattle's emergency response capabilities. The report, which will be sent to the City Council, was developed by the departments and individuals who actually worked during and after the storm.
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