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May 7, 2026 13-county "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation campaign urges communities to prepare for wildfireThirteen Western Washington counties and the Suquamish Tribe are joining partners to highlight the importance of “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation messages as another wildfire season approaches. Emergency managers in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Clark, Thurston, Kitsap, Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Clallam, Grays Harbor, and Jefferson counties, as well as the Suquamish Tribe, are all working together to promote the regional "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation campaign. This campaign shares clear, straightforward messages intended to save lives as people prepare to evacuate. The risk of wildfires on the west side of the Cascades has grown due to climate change and is now an annual threat in Western Washington. The "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation campaign simplifies informing the public on how to respond to the three levels of evacuation guidance (traditionally Levels 1, 2, and 3), and prepares them on actions they should take at each level when alerted by authorities. This evacuation program is intended for all-hazards and not only wildfires. Similar messaging was used throughout the storms and flooding emergencies last December, ensuring evacuation and emergency information was shared consistently across the region. Key Components of the Campaign:
The "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation campaign is a testament to the power of collaboration. By bringing together the expertise of multiple counties, emergency response agencies, and community organizations, the campaign can create a more resilient and informed population. Residents of “Ready, Set, Go!” communities are encouraged to participate actively in the evacuation campaign. By preparing their homes, accessing informational materials, and staying informed about local emergency updates, individuals can play a vital role in enhancing safety and preparedness. Quotes: "We know wildfire will happen at some point in Kitsap County. But our residents can prepare for this threat. How? Start by signing up for evacuation alerts through 'KitsapALERT' and learning the clear messaging we’ll use from the 'Ready, Set, Go!’ campaign. Both are critical in helping residents to know what to do and will help save lives. Learn more on the Kitsap County Emergency Management website." Jan Glarum, director, Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management “Simple and easy to understand evacuation messaging was critical during the flooding in December when levees breached in King County. The work that began several years ago to socialize the “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation messaging west of the mountains started with wildfires, but has proven effective in a variety of situations and hazards in our region. Coordinating this across counties and tribes helps provide our communities with a clear and consistent message during times of high stress.” Brendan McCluskey, director, King County Office of Emergency Management “We didn’t have much snow this winter, which means we all have to be extra prepared heading into fire season. One of the easiest ways to do that is to spread the word about ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ Understanding these simple steps can save lives when minutes matter.” Lucia Schmit, director, Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management “Wildfires and summer brush fires have become all too common in Western Washington, causing substantial damage to properties and displacing families in Pierce County. Knowing when to ‘be ready’, ‘be set’, and ‘go now’ is vital to help everyone, including our pets, stay safe during any emergency or natural disaster. Thank you for doing your part to stay prepared and know when to go!” Arel Solie, director, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management “By following the ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ wildland fire response model, we strengthen our ability to protect our Elders, children, and most vulnerable community members, ensuring their safety as fire threats continue to grow.” Cherrie May, manager, Suquamish Tribe Office of Emergency Management “We can’t control when a wildfire starts, but we can control how prepared we are to respond. ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ helps people understand evacuation levels so they can act early and make safer decisions under pressure. Taking a little time now to understand those levels can have a big impact when conditions change quickly.” Kyle Bustad, emergency manager, Thurston County “Disasters come in many forms — wildfire, floods, earthquakes — and being ready can make all the difference. ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ helps our community prepare, stay alert, and act quickly when it matters most.” Julie de Losada, chief, Skagit County Emergency Management “Planning is one of the most important steps to preparing your household for disasters and one the lowest cost efforts. Take a minute to talk to your loved ones about Ready, Set, Go. Create a strategy on how you will get and receive information from your family, friends, and neighbors before, during and after an evacuation. It only takes a few minutes and will help you tremendously if you ever have to take action.” Justin E. Ross, director, Island County Department of Emergency Management “‘Ready, Set, Go!’ continues to be the best program for quickly communicating what the public needs to do during times of crisis in easy-to-understand language. Having the same message for disaster response locally and across most of the state means that when visitors come to enjoy the beauty and outdoor recreation here in Whatcom County this summer, it’s more likely they’ll know what to do if they get an alert.” Matt Klein, deputy director, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management "The simpler we make the evacuation process for our communities, the more lives we can potentially save. The 'Ready, Set, Go!' approach draws on a concept we learned back in elementary school, making it easier to understand and follow during high-stress situations when clear thinking is difficult." Lorraine Shore, emergency manager, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office “Knowing what to do before the need can be a life-saving step. Regularly reviewing the three evacuation levels—GET READY, GET SET, GO with all members of your family as well as the people you work with can help create muscle memory making it possible, when the need arises, to follow the three evacuation level steps without hesitation.” Willie Bence, director, Jefferson County Emergency Management “The ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ approach to evacuations is extremely important because it helps people know exactly what to do in an emergency. Whether you are visiting the beautiful beaches of Grays Harbor County or the tree-lined trails of the Cascade foothills, the messaging on evacuation levels is the same in each county. Working with other counties across the state on the same, consistent messaging makes the whole area stronger and more prepared.” Hannah Cleverly, deputy director, Grays Harbor County Emergency Management “The ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ campaign offers a simple message for all types of emergencies. Whether it’s wildfire, flooding, or any other hazard, this approach ensures residents know what to do and when to act — because preparation saves lives. It uses plain, accessible language that makes it easy for everyone to understand — whether you’re a longtime resident or someone new to the area, including those for whom English is a second language.” Dave Fuller, director, Clark County Regional Services Agency Media Contacts
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