RCW 38.52.020
Declaration of policy and purpose.
(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(5), 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.
[ 2015 c 61 § 2; 1986 c 266 § 24; 1984 c 38 § 3; 1979 ex.s. c 268 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 113 § 2; 1974 ex.s. c 171 § 5; 1967 c 203 § 2; 1953 c 223 § 1; 1951 c 178 § 2.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 38.52.010 was amended by 2017 c 312 § 3, changing subsection (5) to subsection (6). RCW 38.52.010 was subsequently amended by 2019 c 207 § 1 and by 2019 c 471 § 2, changing subsection (6) to subsection (9). RCW 38.52.010 was amended by 2022 c 203 § 2, changing subsection (9) to subsection (13).
Severability—1986 c 266: See note following RCW 38.52.005.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 38 - Militia and Military Affairs
Chapter 38.52 - Emergency Management.
38.52.020 - Declaration of policy and purpose.
38.52.037 - Comprehensive state mine rescue plan—Submittal to legislature.
38.52.050 - Governor's general powers and duties.
38.52.073 - Communication plan status report—Life safety information communication report.
38.52.080 - Outside aid—Rights and liabilities—Claims.
38.52.091 - Mutual aid and interlocal agreements—Requirements.
38.52.100 - Appropriations—Acceptance of funds, services, etc.
38.52.105 - Disaster response account.
38.52.120 - Political activity prohibited.
38.52.140 - Status of civil service employee preserved.
38.52.150 - Orders, rules, regulations—Enforcement—Availability—Penalty.
38.52.160 - Matching funds from political subdivision may be required.
38.52.170 - Plan for federal area.
38.52.190 - Compensation for injury or death—Chapter exclusive.
38.52.195 - Exemption from liability while providing construction, equipment, or work.
38.52.1951 - Application of exemption from liability for architects and engineers.
38.52.200 - Liability for compensation is in lieu of other liability—Exception.
38.52.205 - Claims arising from emergency management related activities—Filing—Contents.
38.52.210 - Compensation boards—Established.
38.52.220 - Compensation boards—Meetings—Claims not necessitating board meeting.
38.52.230 - Compensation boards—Attendance of witnesses, oaths, rules—Members uncompensated.
38.52.240 - Compensation boards—Duties as to compensation applications.
38.52.250 - Compensation boards—Quorum—Transmittal of minutes, claims—Appeal to department.
38.52.260 - When compensation furnished.
38.52.270 - Minors entitled to benefits.
38.52.280 - Compensation and benefits limited by appropriation.
38.52.290 - Applicability of workers' compensation law.
38.52.300 - Right of action against third party.
38.52.310 - Coverage, classification, registration, of workers.
38.52.320 - Schedule of payments.
38.52.330 - Expenditures authorized—Claims, payment and disposition—Appeals.
38.52.340 - Benefits under other compensation plans.
38.52.350 - Benefits furnished under federal law—Reduction of state benefits.
38.52.360 - Medical, surgical or hospital treatment.
38.52.370 - Medical, surgical or hospital treatment—Reimbursement.
38.52.380 - State compensation denied if payment prevents federal benefits.
38.52.390 - Contracts or work on cost basis for emergency management activities.
38.52.400 - Search and rescue activities—Powers and duties of local officials.
38.52.420 - Model contingency plan for pollution control facilities and hazardous waste management.
38.52.500 - Statewide 911 telephone service—Finding.
38.52.501 - Statewide 911 emergency communications service—Findings.
38.52.505 - Statewide 911 emergency service—Automatic location identification—Rules.
38.52.520 - State 911 coordination office.
38.52.525 - State 911 coordination office—Public education materials.
38.52.531 - 911 advisory committee.
38.52.535 - State 911 coordination office and advisory committee—Uniform national standards.
38.52.545 - Priorities for 911 funding.
38.52.550 - Emergency communications systems and information—Immunity from civil liability.
38.52.920 - Repeal and saving.
38.52.930 - Transfer of powers, duties, and functions to state military department.
38.52.940 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.