Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the Washington State Military Department for Emergency Management Assistance Compact and Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Agreement Assistance for Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Washington State Military Department for Emergency Management Assistance Compact and Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Agreement Assistance for Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Washington State Military Department for Emergency Management Assistance Compact and Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Agreement Assistance for Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance.
Staff Contact:
Matt Morris, Fire Chief, Olympia Fire Department, 360.753.8466
Presenter(s):
Matt Morris, Fire Chief, Olympia Fire Department
Background and Analysis:
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Agreement Assistance for Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance (PNEMA) are responsive systems that allow states to send personnel, equipment, and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states during governor-declared states of emergency or disaster.
In the event of a large disaster, the State of Washington may request resources from the City of Olympia on behalf of the affected jurisdiction(s). This agreement creates the mechanism for the City to fill requests while ensuring the City receives the proper reimbursement. It also sets out the overarching requirement that upon mutual aid request, the contract amendment detailing the actual costs and reimbursement details would be completed before any resource could be dispatched.
The Signature Authorization Form empowers the City Manager to sign Contract Amendments (to allow a resource to be deployed) and the Fire Chief to sign documents relating to reimbursement of the deployed resource. The state will only work with the jurisdiction if these items are already in place at the time of the disaster to ensure rapid deployment of critical resources.
The City is not required to release resources. However, sharing the City of Olympia resources to assist in a disaster is important for many reasons. We can assist others in need and provide valuable experience to those deployed if we experience a disaster.
Climate Analysis:
While this mutual aid agreement does not specifically address one of the sectors in the Climate Framework, it does support the City’s initiative to reduce the impacts of climate change by helping to ensure the emergency response system has the appropriate resources available to address all hazard threats. The quicker resources can mobilize and mitigate the emergency, the less the environmental impacts will be.
Equity Analysis:
The impacts of this mutual aid agreement have been assessed using the City’s Equity Framework. In broad terms, this agreement provides a mechanism to help people in need. When a disaster strikes another community, this agreement will support the City’s desire to share our specialized resources to mitigate hazards and relieve suffering for all affected.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There are no specific community concerns known regarding this item.
Financial Impact:
None. All costs and reimbursements are agreed upon before resources are deployed.
Options:
1. Approve the agreement allowing the City Manager and Fire Chief to expeditiously manage the mutual-aid request for City resources to be deployed to other jurisdictions' disasters. This agreement will ensure the City is reimbursed for their assistance.
2. Do not approve the agreement allowing City Resources to be sent to other jurisdictions for disasters and for the City to be compensated.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement