# RCW 38.52.020: RCW 38.52.020: Declaration of policy and purpose > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S020 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 38.52.020 - **Heading:** RCW 38.52.020: Declaration of policy and purpose - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 38 / Chapter 52 / Section 020 ## Text (1) Because of the existing and increasing possibility of the occurrence of disasters of unprecedented size and destructiveness as defined in RCW 38.52.010 (13), and in order to insure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such disasters, to insure the administration of state and federal programs providing disaster relief to individuals, and further to insure adequate support for search and rescue operations, and generally to protect the public peace, health, and safety, and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the state, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary: (a) To provide for emergency management by the state, and to authorize the creation of local organizations for emergency management in the political subdivisions of the state; (b) To confer upon the governor and upon the executive heads of the political subdivisions of the state the emergency powers provided herein; (c) To provide for the rendering of mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state and with other states and to cooperate with the federal government with respect to the carrying out of emergency management functions; (d) To provide a means of compensating emergency management workers who may suffer any injury, as herein defined, or death; who suffer economic harm including personal property damage or loss; or who incur expenses for transportation, telephone or other methods of communication, and the use of personal supplies as a result of participation in emergency management activities; (e) To provide programs, with intergovernmental cooperation, to educate and train the public to be prepared for emergencies; and (f) To provide for the prioritization, development, and exercise of continuity of operations plans by the state. (2) It is further declared to be the purpose of this chapter and the policy of the state that all emergency management functions of this state and its political subdivisions be coordinated to the maximum extent with the comparable functions of the federal government including its various departments and agencies of other states and localities, and of private agencies of every type, to the end that the most effective preparation and use may be made of the nation's manpower, resources, and facilities for dealing with any disaster that may occur. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 38.52.005 RCW 38.52.005: State military department to administer emergency management program—Local organizations authorized to change name.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S005.md) - [RCW 38.52.010 RCW 38.52.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S010.md) - [RCW 38.52.020 RCW 38.52.020: Declaration of policy and purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S020.md) - [RCW 38.52.030 RCW 38.52.030: Director—Comprehensive emergency management plan—Statewide 911 emergency communications network—State coordinator of search and rescue operations—State program for emergency assistance—State public infrastructure assistance program—State coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response programs—Interagency coordination and prioritization of continuity of operations planning—Catastrophic incidents, program to provide information and education.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S030.md) - [RCW 38.52.037 RCW 38.52.037: Comprehensive state mine rescue plan—Submittal to legislature.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S037.md) - [RCW 38.52.040 RCW 38.52.040: Emergency management council—Members—Ad hoc committees—Rules review—Function as state emergency response commission—Cybersecurity advisory committee—Intrastate mutual aid committee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S040.md) - [RCW 38.52.050 RCW 38.52.050: Governor's general powers and duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S050.md) - [RCW 38.52.070 RCW 38.52.070: Local organizations and joint local organizations authorized—Establishment, operation—Emergency powers, procedures—Communication plans.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S070.md) - [RCW 38.52.073 RCW 38.52.073: Communication plan status report—Life safety information communication report.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S073.md) - [RCW 38.52.080 RCW 38.52.080: Outside aid—Rights and liabilities—Claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S080.md) - [RCW 38.52.091 RCW 38.52.091: Mutual aid and interlocal agreements—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S091.md) - [RCW 38.52.100 RCW 38.52.100: Appropriations—Acceptance of funds, services, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S100.md) - [RCW 38.52.105 RCW 38.52.105: Disaster response account.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S105.md) - [RCW 38.52.107 RCW 38.52.107: State hazard mitigation revolving loan account.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S107.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T38_C52_S020. 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