Washington Administrative Code Title 118 - Military Department (Emergency Management)
The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 118 is specifically assigned to the Military Department (Emergency Management). This title outlines the rules and regulations under the authority of the Washington State Military Department, particularly its Emergency Management Division (now often referred to as Washington Emergency Management Division or WEMD).
The core purpose of these regulations is to establish the framework for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across the state of Washington. This involves coordinating state, local, and sometimes federal resources to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from various hazards and disasters.
Here's a breakdown of the key chapters and topics found within WAC Title 118:
Chapter 118-03 - Mt. St. Helens Closure - Rules for Permitted Entry and/or Occupation: This historical but still relevant chapter sets out the rules for controlled access to the restricted area around Mount St. Helens, reflecting the ongoing need for public safety management in the vicinity of the active volcano.
Chapter 118-04 - Emergency Worker Program: This crucial chapter defines the framework for volunteer emergency workers in Washington. It covers:
Registration and Classes: How individuals can register as emergency workers and the different categories of emergency workers (e.g., search and rescue, medical, communications).
Qualifications: The necessary qualifications and training for different types of emergency workers.
Responsibilities: The roles and responsibilities of both registered emergency workers and the authorized officials who manage them.
Duty Status and Mission Numbers: Procedures for activating emergency workers for missions or training events.
Compensation and Claims: Eligibility and procedures for filing claims for personal injury or property loss incurred by emergency workers during their official duties.
Chapter 118-09 - Criteria for Allocation of Emergency Management Assistance Funds: This chapter outlines the rules for how the state allocates emergency management assistance (EMA) funds to local emergency management organizations (EMOs). The purpose is to supplement and enhance local capabilities, not supplant existing funding. It details eligibility and allocation criteria.
Chapter 118-11 - State Disaster Individual Assistance Program: This chapter establishes the state's program for providing assistance to individuals and families who have suffered losses as a result of a declared disaster, when federal assistance may not be available or sufficient.
Chapter 118-30 - Local Emergency Management/Services Organizations, Plans and Programs: This chapter is fundamental for local emergency management. It sets standards and requirements for:
The establishment and organization of local emergency management agencies and services.
The development and maintenance of local emergency operations plans.
The coordination between state and local emergency management efforts.
Chapter 118-40 - Hazardous Chemical Emergency Response Planning and Community Right-to-Know Reporting: This chapter implements federal and state requirements related to hazardous materials. It focuses on:
Local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) and their role in developing chemical emergency response plans.
Requirements for facilities that store hazardous chemicals to report their inventories (Community Right-to-Know).
Procedures for responding to hazardous chemical incidents.
Chapter 118-66 - 911 Funding: This chapter outlines the rules for the allocation and use of funds generated for the statewide 911 emergency communications system.
Chapter 118-67 - Wireless 911 Calls from Radio Communications Service Companies - Technical and Operational Standards: Specifies the technical and operational standards for wireless carriers to ensure that wireless 911 calls can be effectively routed and responded to.
Chapter 118-68 - Required for Automatic Location Identification: This chapter likely details the requirements for cellular and other communication providers to transmit automatic location identification (ALI) data for 911 calls, enabling emergency responders to quickly locate callers.
Chapter 118-65 - Public Records: Standard administrative chapter outlining procedures for accessing public records held by the Military Department's Emergency Management Division.
In summary, WAC Title 118 provides the comprehensive regulatory framework for Washington State's Military Department (specifically its Emergency Management Division) to lead and coordinate all-hazards emergency management efforts, from planning and resource allocation to training emergency workers and managing communication systems crucial for public safety.
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