2022/01/19 Council Agenda Packet

Attachment D WORK PLAN FY 2021 Emergency Management Performance Grant Emergency Management Organization: Everett Office of Emergency Management The purpose of EMPG is to assist with the enhancement, sustainment and improvement of state, local, and tribal emergency management programs. Activities conducted using EMPG funding should relate directly to the five elements of emergency management: prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. Washington State does not require a specific number of activities to receive EMPG funding. However, there are required capabilities that must be sustained in order to remain eligible for EMPG funding, including but not limited to the ability to communicate and warn, educate the public, plan, train, exercise, and be NIMS compliant. The Work Plan delineates the Emergency Management Organization's emergency management program planning and priority focus for this grant cycle (to include EMPG grant and local funds). 11 1 Ricoh Copier and Usage Priority Area #1 Primary Core Capability 4.7 Communications and Warning Public Information and Warning Secondary Core Capability Build or Sustain WORK PLANNED Operational Communications Building Utilize, update guidance on, train on, and exercise public emergency information dissemination on Everett's alerting platforms, including internal notifications, reverse 911, public alerts through Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), and city website alerts. Enhance emergency communications between City facilities by setting up amateur radio and satellite phone equipment. IDENTIFIED GAP/NEED Per the City's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), the City has a responsibility to communicate emergency information to the public. Alerts and warnings should be accessible to the whole community including Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals and others who may be vulnerable. Further updates to communications plans can increase efficacy of emergency information dissemination. In a major disaster, the ability to communicate may be hindered if normal modes of communication are not available. Currently, many City facilities do not have a backup method of communication if phones, cell phones, and email are not functioning. City facilities need to be able to communicate to ensure they can continue to share information and provide or receive direction. The City CEMP outlines operational communications which includes the use of amateur radio and satellite phone back up systems. ANTICIPATED PROJECT IMPACT By updating guidance on emergency public information, key City staff will have better access and better guidance on how to communicate information to the affected individuals. Everett uses the AlertSense platform (which also includes IPAWS) and the OEM is the point of contact for all City departments which utilize this system for technical assistance and training. Adding amateur radio and satellite phone capabilities to City facilities will enable them to continue to communicate even if traditional methods are inoperable. This will improve situational awareness and information sharing after a major event.