Planning Program
The Washington Emergency Management Division’s (WAEMD) Planning Program supports the state’s preparedness and response capabilities by developing, updating, and maintaining the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). This plan provides preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery coordination across state, local, tribal, and federal agencies. The Planning Team works closely with local jurisdictions to support them in developing their own CEMPs, which are tailored to their unique needs and risk profiles. Additionally, the program offers assistance in other planning initiatives, such as hazard mitigation, continuity of operations planning, and recovery planning, strengthening alignment across jurisdictions. Below, you will find the state’s CEMP and related planning support materials that provide further guidance and resources for jurisdictions and agencies involved in emergency management planning.
State Plans
Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP)
Prevention/Protection
- Prevention and Protection Framework (in development)
Mitigation
Response
- Response Plan (awaiting finalization)
- Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)
- ESF 1 Transportation (2024)
- ESF 2 Communications (2021)
- ESF 3 Public Works and Engineering (2019)
- ESF 4 Firefighting (2018)
- ESF 5 Emergency Management (2018)
- ESF 6 Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing and Human Services (2024)
- ESF 7 Logistics Management & Resource Support (2018)
- ESF 8 Public Health, Medical and Mortuary Services (2015)
- ESF 9 Search and Rescue (2021)
- ESF 10 Hazardous Materials (2009)
- ESF 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources (2017)
- ESF 12 Energy (2020)
- ESF 13 Public Safety, Law Enforcement & Security (2019)
- ESF 14 Long Term Recovery (2023)
- ESF 15 External Affairs (2021)
- ESF 20 Defense Support to Civil Authorities (2019)
- Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)
- Catastrophic Incident Annex (CIA)
- CIA Base Plan (2022)
- CIA Tab A: Critical Transportation
- CIA Tab B: Mass Care Services
- CIA Tab C: Infrastructure Systems
- CIA Tab D: Public Health, Healthcare, and EMS (anticipated publication DEC 2025)
- CIA Tab E: Fatality Management (anticipated publication DEC 2025)
- CIA Tab F: Operational Coordination
- CIA Tab G: Situational Assessment
- CIA Tab H: Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- CIA Tab I: Operational Communication
- CIA Base Plan (2022)
Recovery
Emergency Planning Resources
The purpose of this section is to provide resources to tribal, local, and state emergency planners and other parties responsible for developing Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMP).
FOR LOCAL PLAN REVIEW: Please use the emdcempreview@mil.wa.gov mail address to submit your CEMP for review or to request technical assistance.
Local Planning Support
Our team offers both technical and planning assistance to all jurisdictions and tribes. We can assist you in modifying specific sections, the entire Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan or in creating a new plan. We will work directly with you to alleviate as much of the burden as we can.
- Planning Assistance: Help tailor CEMPs to local needs and ensure consistency with the National Incident Management System, Washington State CEMP, National Planning Frameworks, Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101, and address the needs of the Whole Community.
- Technical Assistance: Focus on building a foundational CEMP Basic Plan that will meet or exceed the legal requirements while streamlining maintenance for long-term success.
Tools and Resources
- Planning Engagement Guide: This guide offers step-by-step instructions for developing and maintaining CEMPs. Based on FEMA guidance, the guide aligns with Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 v.3, National Planning Frameworks, and the 2015 National preparedness Goal’s Core Capabilities. Emphasizing the planning process as a discovery journey, it enables us to create adaptable plans addressing all five Mission Areas while linking planning to the broader Preparedness Cycle, including mitigation, assessment, grants, and exercises.
- Tiered CEMP Evaluation Checklist: EMD staff on the Planning Team use this checklist to conduct formal and informal CEMP reviews. This was created out of an identification of a greater need to step away from he previous “one size fits all” approach to CEMP planning and review. This tiered approach to CEMPs is meant to accommodate all the various methods, formats (functional vs. ESF), structures, etc. of the CEMP, which either currently exist or are desired at the local level and focus more on the specific content. There are three tiers in this planning approach, and they are as follows: Tier III (Lawful Requirements), Tier II (State Requirements) and Tier I (Optional Pursuits).
- CEMP Base Plan
- Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)
- o ESF 1 Transportation
- o ESF 2 Communications
- o ESF 3 Public Works and Engineering
- o ESF 4 Firefighting
- o ESF 5 Emergency Management
- o ESF 6 Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing and Human Services
- o ESF 7 Logistics Management & Resource Support
- o ESF 8 Public Health, Medical and Mortuary Services
- o ESF 9 Search and Rescue
- o ESF 10 Hazardous Materials
- o ESF 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources
- o ESF 12 Energy
- o ESF 13 Public Safety, Law Enforcement & Security
- o ESF 15 External Affairs
- CEMP Agency/Department Structure
- CEMP Functional Structure
- CEMP Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
- LEPC/TEPC Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan
- Visit EMD SERC page for template and more information
Homeland Security
- National Response Framework (NRF)
- Homeland Security Presidential Directive Resources
FEMA Region 10 Plans
- FEMA Region 10 All-Hazards Plan
- FEMA Region 10 Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake and Tsunami Plan
Regulatory and Planning References
- RCW 38.52: Emergency Management
- WAC 118-30: Local Emergency Management/Services Organizations, Plans and Programs
- Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101) v3
Catastrophic Incident Planning
- Catastrophic Incident Planning Framework
- Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP)
- Regional Resiliency Assessment Program for Washington State Transportation
- Washington State Airports Seismic Resilience Project
Other References
Planning Team
Alexa Bach | Kerstyn Dolack | Bobby Kelly |
Kim Mask | Amanda Mihail | Katie Spiekermann |