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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

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.

Request Assistance Here

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).

Planning Team

Alexa Bach
Planning Program Supervisor
alexa.bach@mil.wa.gov

Kerstyn Dolack
Hazard Specific Planner
kerstyn.dolack@mil.wa.gov

Bobby Kelly
Catastrophic Planner
robert.kelly@mil.wa.gov

Kim Mask
Emergency Planning Program Coordinator
kim.mask@mil.wa.gov

Amanda Mihail
Emergency Planning Program Coordinator
amanda.mihail@mil.wa.gov

Katie Spiekermann
All-Hazards Planner
katherine.spiekermann@mil.wa.gov