Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Extension of the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Thurston County Emergency Management Council
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager’s Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution extending the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Thurston County Emergency Management Council and authorizing the City Manager to sign the agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution extending the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Thurston County Emergency Management Council.
Staff Contact:
Greg Wright, Deputy Fire Chief, 360.753.8466
Patrick Knouff, 360.709.2701
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Effective emergency management for the citizens requires high levels of preparing and cooperation before any response is ever undertaken. In fact, good preparation and cooperation can mitigate the effects of a disaster, thus better serving the citizens. The Emergency Management Council of Thurston County has been in place since the early 1990's. The Interlocal Agreement for cooperation in emergency management planning, training, and organization expires at the end of 2017. Because cooperation in preparing for and responding to disasters is so critical, the partners are all choosing per an existing contract provision to extend the agreement for five (5) more years.
This cooperation has served Olympia well during major events of the past and has allowed Olympia to partner with other agencies for important training activities and planning efforts. Notably, Olympia has been able to join 150 leaders and workers from around Thurston County to go to the east coast for week long emergency management trainings in 2000 and 2010. (The group applied again for another opportunity in 2018 but was turned down, a new application will be submitted early in 2018 for the 2019 classes).These trainings are fully funded by the federal government (training grant), and individual jurisdictions the size of Olympia are rarely successful in being awarded these grants by themselves. Applying as the Emergency Management Council of Thurston County, emergency management workers and responders throughout Thurston County have been granted this training both times we have applied.
The City of Olympia has used these opportunities to send nearly 20 members of the City's Emergency Management Committee to this valuable training. Other items directly attributable to the Emergency Management Council of Thurston County is the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Thurston Region which includes chapters for 26 distinct jurisdictions including Olympia and the annual Emergency Preparedness Fair which was held in Olympia in 2017.
As stated in the agreement, the "purpose of the agreement is that each participating agency meet regularly and mutually advise each other regarding the effective and economical preparation for, coordination of, and carrying out of emergency management functions". The purpose statement is the guiding principle of the group which meets monthly sharing emergency management news, best practices and experience. This document does not contemplate mutual aid during a disaster; such mutual aid is covered under a number of other more specific mutual aid agreements.
The monthly meetings of the council are attended by a delegate from each entity as described in the agreement, Section III, A. Membership. Smaller communities have sent elected officials but the Cities, County and Tribes typically send their Emergency Manager or designee. For Olympia, Emergency Management Coordinator, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Wright has attended since 1997.
Participation in this cooperative group is good for the City of Olympia, for the County and our signatory neighbors in the agreement, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, Bucoda and the Chehalis and Nisqually Indian Tribes.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None
Options:
1. Approve the Resolution extending the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Thurston County Emergency Management Council.
2. Do not approve the resolution extending the agreement.
Financial Impact:
Minimal, the city is assessed dues of approximately $550.00 per year which comes out of the small Emergency Management budget that resides in the Fire Department budget.
Attachments:
Resolution