# 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 > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S030 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 38.52.030 - **Heading:** 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 - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 51 / Chapter 52 / Section 030 ## Text (1) The director may employ such personnel and may make such expenditures within the appropriation therefor, or from other funds made available for purposes of emergency management, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (2) The director, subject to the direction and control of the governor, shall be responsible to the governor for carrying out the program for emergency management of this state. The director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for emergency management within the state, and shall maintain liaison with and cooperate with emergency management agencies and organizations of other states and of the federal government, and shall have such additional authority, duties, and responsibilities authorized by this chapter, as may be prescribed by the governor. (3) The director shall develop and maintain a comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan for the state which shall include an analysis of the natural, technological, or human-caused hazards which could affect the state of Washington, and shall include the procedures to be used during emergencies for coordinating local resources, as necessary, and the resources of all state agencies, departments, commissions, and boards. The comprehensive emergency management plan shall direct the department in times of state emergency to administer and manage the state's emergency operations center. This will include representation from all appropriate state agencies and be available as a single point of contact for the authorizing of state resources or actions, including emergency permits. The comprehensive emergency management plan must specify the use of the incident command system for multiagency/multijurisdiction operations. The comprehensive, all-hazard emergency plan authorized under this subsection may not include preparation for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack. This plan shall be known as the comprehensive emergency management plan. (4) In accordance with the comprehensive emergency management plans and the programs for the emergency management of this state, the director shall procure supplies and equipment, institute training programs and public information programs, and shall take all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full mobilization of emergency management organizations in advance of actual disaster, to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of emergency management personnel in time of need. (5) The director shall make such studies and surveys of the industries, resources, and facilities in this state as may be necessary to ascertain the capabilities of the state for emergency management, and shall plan for the most efficient emergency use thereof. (6) The emergency management council shall advise the director on all aspects of the communications and warning systems and facilities operated or controlled under the provisions of this chapter. (7) The director, through the state 911 coordinator, shall coordinate and facilitate implementation and operation of a statewide 911 emergency communications network. (8) The director shall appoint a state coordinator of search and rescue operations to coordinate those state resources, services and facilities (other than those for which the state director of aeronautics is directly responsible) requested by political subdivisions in support of search and rescue operations, and on request to maintain liaison with and coordinate the resources, services, and facilities of political subdivisions when more than one political subdivision is engaged in joint search and rescue operations. (9) The director, subject to the direction and control of the governor, shall prepare and administer a state program for emergency assistance to individuals within the state who are victims of a natural, technological, or human-caused disaster, as defined by RCW 38.52.010 (13) ities of political subdivisions when more than one political subdivision is engaged in joint search and rescue operations. (9) The director, subject to the direction and control of the governor, shall prepare and administer a state program for emergency assistance to individuals within the state who are victims of a natural, technological, or human-caused disaster, as defined by RCW 38.52.010 (13). Such program may be integrated into and coordinated with disaster assistance plans and programs of the federal government which provide to the state, or through the state to any political subdivision thereof, services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds by way of gift, grant, or loan for purposes of assistance to individuals affected by a disaster. Further, such program may include, but shall not be limited to, grants, loans, or gifts of services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, to individuals who, as a result of a disaster, are in need of assistance and who meet standards of eligibility for disaster assistance established by the department of social and health services: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That nothing herein shall be construed in any manner inconsistent with the provisions of Article VIII, section 5 or section 7 of the Washington state Constitution. (10) The director is authorized to administer a state public infrastructure assistance program for emergency assistance to county governments and federally recognized tribal governments within the state that experience or respond to public infrastructure damage due to a natural, technological, or human-caused disaster. The department may initiate rule making to address the distribution of funds from county governments to recipients within the county, including political subdivisions as defined in RCW 38.52.010 , special purpose districts as defined in RCW 36.96.010 , and nonprofit organizations. (11) The director shall appoint a state coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response programs. The coordinator shall consult with the state radiation control officer in matters relating to radioactive materials. The duties of the state coordinator for radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response programs shall include: (a) Assessing the current needs and capabilities of state and local radioactive and hazardous waste emergency response teams on an ongoing basis; (b) Coordinating training programs for state and local officials for the purpose of updating skills relating to emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; (c) Utilizing appropriate training programs such as those offered by the federal emergency management agency, the department of transportation and the environmental protection agency; and (d) Undertaking other duties in this area that are deemed appropriate by the director. (12) The director is responsible to the governor to lead the development and management of a program for interagency coordination and prioritization of continuity of operations planning by state agencies. Each state agency is responsible for developing an organizational continuity of operations plan that is updated and exercised annually in compliance with the program for interagency coordination of continuity of operations planning. (13) The director shall maintain a copy of the continuity of operations plan for election operations for each county that has a plan available nning by state agencies. Each state agency is responsible for developing an organizational continuity of operations plan that is updated and exercised annually in compliance with the program for interagency coordination of continuity of operations planning. (13) The director shall maintain a copy of the continuity of operations plan for election operations for each county that has a plan available. (14) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the director is responsible to the governor to lead the development and management of a program to provide information and education to state and local government officials regarding catastrophic incidents and continuity of government planning to assist with statewide development of continuity of government plans by all levels and branches of state and local government that address how essential government functions and services will continue to be provided following a catastrophic incident. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 38.52.010 RCW 38.52.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S010.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_T51_C52_S030.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_T51_C52_S040.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_T51_C52_S070.md) - [RCW 38.52.080 RCW 38.52.080: Outside aid—Rights and liabilities—Claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S080.md) - [RCW 38.52.110 RCW 38.52.110: Use of existing services and facilities—Impressment of citizenry—First informer broadcasters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S110.md) - [RCW 38.52.115 RCW 38.52.115: Liability of federal, state, and local agencies, and employees—Facilitation of access of first informer broadcaster.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S115.md) - [RCW 38.52.150 RCW 38.52.150: Orders, rules, regulations—Enforcement—Availability—Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S150.md) - [RCW 38.52.160 RCW 38.52.160: Matching funds from political subdivision may be required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S160.md) - [RCW 51.52.020 RCW 51.52.020: Board—Rule-making power.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S020.md) - [RCW 51.52.050 RCW 51.52.050: Service of departmental action—Demand for repayment—Orders amending benefits—Reconsideration or appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S050.md) - [RCW 51.52.060 RCW 51.52.060: Notice of appeal—Time—Cross-appeal—Departmental options.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S060.md) - [RCW 51.52.063 RCW 51.52.063: After notice of appeal—Contact with medical providers restricted—Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S063.md) - [RCW 51.52.075 RCW 51.52.075: Appeal from order terminating provider's authority to provide services—Department petition for order immediately suspending provider's eligibility to participate.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S075.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T51_C52_S030. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.