WSEMA! It is FRI-DAY!
This week reminded me how much I appreciate good people and good conversations. Sometimes it’s not about big milestones…it’s about connection, laughter, and shared purpose. That stuff just rocks.
Let’s do this.
Association News
- WSEMA Conference: Save the date! September 21-24 at the Muckleshoot! We’re bringing back the 80s! Shoulder pads, perms, and Aqua Net resilience included!
- Legislative Watch: Fourteen days left in session. The clock is ticking, the calendars are packed, and bills are either sprinting toward the finish line or slowly disappearing, like my hairline. I’ve shaded the bills that won’t make it out of this session (unless they become zombies) and provided the latest updates: in red:
· SHB 2089 (Supporting wildfire mitigation):
o Passed the House. Senate held a public hearing on February 24th (Starts at 1:43:50) Senate Ways & Means Recording
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?year=2025&BillNumber=2089
o Neutral
· HB 2183 (heat response plans): Referred to Appropriations.
o Did not make it out of appropriations. Looks like this bill will not make it out of this session, however, I imagine we’ll see this again next session.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?year=2025&BillNumber=2183
o Opposed in current version. Creates unfunded mandate and responsibility could fall back to Emergency Management as plan facilitator.
o Sent letter to Representative.
· HB 2203 (Creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations): Placed on second reading in Rules.
o Passed the House. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation on February 27th at 2:30pm (Committee Materials)
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2203&Year=2025
o Support
· HB 2275 (wildfire prevention council and fund): Public hearing was on Jan. 21.
o Looks like this bill will not make it out of this session.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2275&Year=2025&Initiative=False
o Opposed
· HB 2351 (protecting emergency responders): Referred to Rules Review.
o Because the bill is stuck in the House Rules “X” file and did not receive a full House floor vote before the cutoff, it is effectively dead for the 2025-26 session under normal legislative rules. Unless House leadership takes extraordinary procedural actions (e.g., waiving rules, Necessary to Implement Budget (NTIB) designation, or reinstating it under special suspension), it cannot move forward to the Senate this session.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2351&Year=2025
o Support
· SB 6046 (Civil Air Patrol): Referred to Appropriations.
o Passed the Senate. Passed the House executive session on February 25th now referred to Rules 2 Review.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=6046&Chamber=Senate&Year=2025
o Support
· HB 2379 (suspension of tolling in an emergency):
o Because the bill is stuck in the House Rules “X” file and did not receive a full House floor vote before the cutoff, it is effectively dead for the 2025-26 session under normal legislative rules. Unless House leadership takes extraordinary procedural actions (e.g., waiving rules, Necessary to Implement Budget (NTIB) designation, or reinstating it under special suspension), it cannot move forward to the Senate this session.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2379&Year=2025
o Support.
· SB 5853 (mass notification system for elected officials): Public hearing occurred on Feb. 5th in Ways & Means.
o No further movement. This won’t make it through this session.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5853&Year=2025&Initiative=false
o Neutral
Emergency Management in Washington
- Emergency Management Day at the Capitol: What a day!!! Our EM Day at the Capitol is officially in the books. And in my opinion, was fantastic!
We had an incredible showing from large and small cities and counties, tribal partners, utilities, private sector partners, state agencies, an IMT, and military partners from across Washington. The diversity of representation is exactly what this discipline is about. Shout out to our friends from Asotin, Skagit, Spokane, and Yakima Valley. I think they had the longest commutes. 😊
Several legislators stopped by between floor sessions (always tricky timing during active session), and while we didn’t catch a ton, we have some great lessons learned to show out for next year’s long session.
My biggest highlight?! The fellowship. Watching everyone connect, swap stories, share ideas, and laugh with (or at) each other, reminded me why this profession matters. There’s something about that kind of camaraderie that makes me want to do a cartwheel. And if you’ve been reading these updates…you know I can!
Thank you to everyone who made the trip and represented this profession so well.
- $150M in BRIC Funds for Washington in Limbo: The article reports that more than $150 million in federal disaster preparedness funds awarded to communities in Washington through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program remain in limbo after the federal government rescinded the program despite a court order to restore it, prompting state leaders to ask a judge to enforce the funding release to support projects for wildfire, flood, and emergency resilience.
- WA State Healthcare Situational Awareness Brief: The number of hospitalized patients with influenza have decreased substantially over the past 7 days. COVID+ inpatient numbers have also decreased slightly while then number of RSV+ inpatients remained steady. Adult and pediatric ED visits remain elevated. Pediatric ICU bed occupancy has been highly variable but overall is higher than last week at this time. Pediatric acute beds remain consistently varied with numbers similar to last week. Adult ICU bed occupancy has been steadily increasing over the past 7-days. Adult medical surgical bed availability is consistent with previous weeks. Hospital and ED boarder numbers have increased across the state, with a more dramatic increase reported in Western WA.
National EM Updates and Misc.
- Public Health Prep: Improved Coordination Needed for HHS’s Emergency Prep Program: The GAO report finds that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) two major emergency preparedness programs help states and localities prepare for public health threats but lack formal coordination and sufficient data on jurisdictional capabilities.
- Nearly $900 million in HHS Preparedness Funds Lack Oversight: An article that highlights the GAO report showing that nearly $900 million in preparedness funds lacks formal coordination and sufficient oversight, leaving gaps in tracking whether states and local jurisdictions are effectively prepared for public health threats and emergencies.
- Public Power Association Resolution on FEMA Reform: The American Public Power Association’s Legislative & Resolutions Committee approved a policy resolution supporting FEMA reform to streamline federal disaster response and simplify reimbursement processes for utilities, including backing the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025.
- COLUMN: The Emergency Manager as a Translator: The article argues that an emergency manager’s core role is to translate complex science, policy, and government processes into clear, meaningful information for communities and officials, bridging the gaps between technical jargon, lived experience, and cultural context to build understanding and trust during disasters.
- Washington State Capitol Facts & History: Since we were there yesterday, thought it pertinent to include a link to some WA State Capitol facts.
Training and Resources
- ICS Courses: Due to the ongoing federal funding of DHS issues, FEMA’s Independent Study Program (ISP) and other ICS courses are currently unavailable. This includes online modules such as IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.
- WA State Training: There are still trainings and courses happening across the state. To view and register for training, visit the Washington State EMD Training Calendar.
Closing Note
We’re doing good work. We’re showing up. We’re learning. And we’re getting better every time. That’s something to be proud of.
However your week wraps up, I hope it ends on a strong note and starts next week with fresh energy.
Stay Rad,
Kyle
Your EM Day Planning Committee! Sharon Wallace, Kyle Bustad, and Jessica Callahan
