Washington Administrative Code Title 118 - Military Department (Emergency Management)
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 118 – Military Department (Emergency Management) covers the rules and regulations that guide how the Washington State Military Department manages emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. This title is primarily concerned with how the state coordinates disaster management efforts, works with local governments, federal agencies, and the public, and ensures readiness for all kinds of emergencies.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. Purpose of Title 118
To establish a legal and operational framework for emergency management in Washington State.
Ensure protection of life, property, and the environment during natural disasters, technological hazards, terrorism, and other emergencies.
Set responsibilities for the State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division (EMD).
2. Organization and Structure
The Emergency Management Division (EMD) is a branch within the Washington Military Department.
It coordinates with:
Local governments (counties, cities, and towns)
Tribal governments
Federal agencies like FEMA
Private organizations and nonprofits
The public through education and training.
3. Emergency Management Programs
Title 118 establishes several key programs:
State Emergency Operations Center (EOC):
Acts as the central command and control facility during disasters, coordinating statewide response and resource distribution.
Statewide Emergency Planning:
Requires counties, cities, and tribes to prepare Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMPs) that align with state and federal guidelines.
Training & Exercises:
Provides emergency preparedness training for responders, officials, and volunteers to ensure readiness for various hazards.
Public Alert and Warning Systems:
Rules for emergency notification systems like the Emergency Alert System (EAS), wireless alerts, and public sirens.
4. Mutual Aid and Coordination
Mutual Aid Agreements: Allows resource sharing among cities, counties, tribes, and even across state borders during emergencies.
Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC): Washington can request or provide aid to other U.S. states during major disasters.
5. Funding and Grants
Establishes procedures for distributing state and federal disaster assistance funds.
Local governments may apply for grants to improve emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation.
6. Search and Rescue (SAR)
The Military Department oversees search and rescue operations in collaboration with sheriffs (who are the primary SAR authority in each county).
Rules for training, deployment, and liability coverage of volunteer search and rescue teams.
7. Continuity of Government & Critical Infrastructure
Ensures that government operations can continue during a disaster.
Provides planning requirements for protecting critical infrastructure like power, water, transportation, and communications systems.
8. Hazard-Specific Planning
While much of Title 118 is general, it also includes provisions for specific hazards, such as:
Earthquakes
Floods
Wildfires
Hazardous materials incidents
Terrorism and security threats
9. Volunteer and Citizen Involvement
Rules for managing Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and other volunteer programs.
Provides liability protections and training requirements for volunteers.
10. Recovery and Post-Disaster Management
Guidance on damage assessments, disaster declarations, and recovery operations.
Procedures for state and federal disaster relief assistance to individuals, businesses, and communities.
✅ In summary:
WAC Title 118 lays out the policies, responsibilities, and procedures for emergency management in Washington State, led by the Military Department’s Emergency Management Division. It ensures that the state, local governments, and communities are prepared for emergencies, can respond effectively, and recover quickly while coordinating with federal and private partners.
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