Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Thurston County Emergency Management Council
Body
Issue:
The Interlocal Agreement for cooperation in emergency management planning, training, and organization has expired. This document replaces the expired agreement. Because cooperation in preparing for and responding to disasters is so critical, the Emergency Management Council of Thurston County has continued to meet in spite of the agreement expiring.
Committee Recommendation:
None
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Thurston County Emergency Management Council and authorize the Mayor to sign on behalf of the City.
Staff Contact:
Presenter(s):
Greg Wright
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. 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. 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. Another item 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.
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.
This version of the agreement has only small housekeeping changes in wording from the previously in force agreement and has been approved by city legal staff.
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. (Currently serving as Vice Chair after a long term as Chair). It is expected that this representation for the City will continue.
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:
Move to approve the agreement, formalizing the long standing relationship between City of Olympia Emergency Management and other recognized emergency management agencies in Thurston County.
Financial Impact:
Minimal, the city is assessed dues of $329.00 per year which comes out of the small Emergency Management budget that resides in the Fire Department budget.