Catastrophes can happen at any time. Preparing for three days will help you make it through many of the disasters you’ll face in the Puget Sound region—including major storms and even small earthquakes

However, to make it through a major catastrophe—like Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake and tsunami in Japan—you’ll need to be prepared for longer—at least 7 to 10 days.

Local agencies across Puget Sound are teaming up to share information and encourage residents to prepare for catastrophic events with a regional campaign, What to do to make it through.

Impact on future delivery of advanced life support services

EMS Levy Report released

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners and the citizens of Skagit County are faced with a critical decision with respect to the future delivery of advanced life support services to those needing emergency medical care. The effects of the “Great Recession” (officially declared over in June 2009) continue to plague local government finances, and the Skagit County EMS Commission has not been immune from the toll this has taken on the local economy. This economic downturn has had a significant impact on local property values that are the primary source of revenue for subsidies to the EMS System in the community. Not only has the revenue from the levy declined, but other sources of revenue such as interest income have also seen significant reductions.

In an effort to ensure sufficient revenues will be available to continue to provide essential, life saving, emergency medical services, Skagit County voters will be asked to approve an EMS Levy referendum this
year. The current EMS levy approved by voters in 2007 at a level of $0.25 per $1,000 TAV (Tax Assessed Value) occurred before the implosion of the real estate market and the downturn in the national, state, and local economies.

Final Report [Pdf]

Mission Statement:
To provide the emergency organization and coordination of resources to minimize loss of life and to protect property and the environment in the event of natural, human-caused, or technological emergencies or disasters affecting Skagit County.

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) provides emergency management services to Anacortes, Burlington, Concrete, Hamilton, La Conner, Lyman, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and the unincorporated areas of Skagit County.

Mark Watkinson, Coordinator
Kevin Noyes, Coordinator
Bruce McBane, Homeland Security Program Coordinator
Krista Salinas, Administration Assistant

DEM and the Skagit County Fire Marshal's Office share an office and provide around the clock coverage for emergency management and fire marshal response duties.

Wonder what the security alert color levels mean? Citizen Guidance on the Homeland Security Advisory System (Pdf)

Reminder: As an emergency management and coordinating agency, it is very important that DEM has current contact information for all agencies. Please be sure to send updated contact information for your agency on a regular basis.

Emergency Management releases the 2009 Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEMP) Basic Plan Final
This plan is the principal document for explaining how Skagit County and the participating municipalities will work cooperatively to administer a comprehensive emergency management program.