|
Programs & Services
Hot Topics
Seattle Disaster Readiness and Response Plan (PDF - 28MB) Released
The current Seattle Disaster Readiness and Response Plan released in 2012, was done in close cooperation with city departments and regional support partners to assign disaster responsibilities in a way that provides for the most coordinated response to disaster possible for the Seattle community. It also meets the following objectives:
- Complies with state law that local emergency management plans be updated every four years.
- Incorporates changes in state and federal law to meet National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance.
- Reflects the many and substantial changes that have been made in city government, organization, procedures and policies since 2007.
The plan serves as the city’s primary reference for preparing citizens and city government for emergencies and managing major emergencies. All subsequent city department plans conform to this guidance.
The City has also releases two special annexes to the current plan. One covered our greatest risk: earthquakes and the other covered one of our most frequent risks: snowstorms.
Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program
FEMA has released Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grants to the ten largest urban areas in the country. The Puget Sound Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) 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 eight counties and select major cities located within them. Program staff for this grant is housed at the City of Seattle, Office of Emergency Management.
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 King County Homeland Security grants Website.
Lessons learned from December 2006 windstorm has helped improve Seattle's emergency response
Following the 2006 windstorm, the City of Seattle 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. |