King County Emergency Management earns re-accreditation
King County Emergency Management has earned re-accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), a nationally recognized peer-review organization that tracks compliance with industry standards. King County first received accreditation in 2017, which was valid for five years. This year marked the first time that the agency underwent reassessment.
"Here in King County, we know we must take urgent action to preserve and protect our regional environment, leading the way in preparing our people and places for climate impacts, and our Office of Emergency Management is doing just that," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "With this re-accreditation, King County will remain in the elite group of jurisdictions nationwide that are at the forefront of best practices in emergency management."
To achieve accreditation, King County Emergency Management had to document compliance with 64 industry-recognized standards, as well as pass a peer review by a team of EMAP-trained assessors. Programs that attain accreditation or re-accreditation demonstrate accountability and focus attention on areas and issues where resources are needed to heighten preparedness efforts to any natural or human-caused disaster that may affect their communities.
"Accreditation recognizes the ability of programs to bring together personnel, resources, and communications from a variety of agencies and organizations in preparation for and in response to a disaster of any type," said Nick Crossley, EMAP Commission Chair. "We applaud King County's leadership and congratulate you on your commitment to achieving accreditation. More importantly, we recognize the dedication to the safety and security of the residents that it represents."
"I've been involved with EMAP for over 10 years and led the assessment team when King County first achieved accreditation in 2017. I am committed to and believe in the process," said Brendan McCluskey, director of King County Emergency Management. "I feel very fortunate now to have successfully guided our office through its EMAP re-accreditation for another five years. The recognition is not just about OEM, but about the entire program, which includes all of King County government, our partner cities, and other collaborating organizations. EMAP helps to make emergency management programs stronger and more adept at their functions, which leads to better prepared and more resilient communities, which King County continually strives toward."
EMAP evaluates emergency management programs in several areas, including planning, resource management, training and exercises, communications, and administration. The EMAP Commission affirmed King County's consecutive accreditation during its meeting on July 29. Across the country, there are only 31 county emergency management programs accredited by EMAP.
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