Summary

King County Emergency Management has earned accreditation from a nationally recognized peer-review organization. The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) evaluated King County's program against 64 specific capabilities that are essential to preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters.

Story

After an 18-month vetting process involving self-assessment, documentation, and an intensive on-site inspection, King County Emergency Management has earned accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. EMAP is a nationally-recognized accreditation process for emergency management programs at all levels of government. Only 30 county-level emergency management agencies in the U.S. have achieved this mark of professional excellence.

"We applaud King County's leadership and congratulate you on your dedication to the safety and security of the residents that this achievement represents," said Robie Robinson, chair of the EMAP Commission.

At an event formally accepting the EMAP approval, King County Executive Dow Constantine focused on the efforts by King County Emergency Management in recent years to expand its engagement with partners in both the public and private sectors to strengthen community resilience to natural hazards and human-caused disruptions.

"Protecting the vulnerable, creating opportunity, and confronting climate change are our top priorities at King County," said Executive Constantine. "The Office of Emergency Management has integrated all three into how it approaches emergency planning and response. National accreditation of our program affirms that we're prepared for emergencies and disasters, and we have the plans and resources to recover quickly and completely."

EMAP evaluated King County's program against 64 specific standards that are essential to preparing for and responding to emergencies and disasters, including overall readiness, training, disaster prevention, and public education. The vetting process - which included a top-to-bottom internal assessment within King County, as well as an on-site review by a panel of emergency management professionals - is designed to ensure that the emergency management program has thoroughly examined and absorbed the essential elements of a well-run program.

"What makes this accreditation so significant is that we were evaluated by a jury of our peers," said King County Emergency Management Director Walt Hubbard. "Beyond the work by our staff, our many partners in both the public and private sectors are also part of this achievement. We thank them all for their engagement in this project. The EMAP process itself has made us a better organization and a more resilient region."

EMAP accreditation is valid for five years. Other agencies in Washington that have achieved accreditation include the City of Seattle and Pierce County.

Relevant link

• Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)

Quotes

Protecting the vulnerable, creating opportunity, and confronting climate change are our top priorities at King County. The Office of Emergency Management has integrated all three into how it approaches emergency planning and response. National accreditation of our program affirms that we're prepared for emergencies and disasters, and we have the plans and resources to recover quickly and completely.

We applaud King County's leadership and congratulate you on your dedication to the safety and security of the residents that this achievement represents.

What makes this accreditation so significant is that we were evaluated by a jury of our peers. Beyond the work by our staff, our many partners in both the public and private sectors are also part of this achievement. We thank them all for their engagement in this project. The EMAP process itself has made us a better organization and a more resilient region.

For more information

Barnaby Dow, Emergency Management, 206-205-4070