Chapter 38.52 RCW, the Washington Emergency Management Act, authorizes the establishment of a local emergency management organization. Under RCW 38.52.070, emergency management organizations can be administered by a local agency independently or local agencies may join to form an organization. RCW 38.52.070 is disjunctive. The City must either: establish a local emergency management organization; or become a member of a joint local organization. 

For this reason, a conflict currently exists between Chapter 2.44 BIMC and ILA KC-496-13. A policy decision is needed to resolve this conflict as the City cannot simultaneously have its own emergency management organization and be part of a joint emergency management organization.

Two possible options are apparent to resolve this conflict. First, the City can withdraw from ILA KC-496-13 and operate its own emergency management organization. Under the terms of the ILA KC-496-13, such a withdrawal is made by written notice and would be effective on December 31, 2018. 

Second, the City could amend Chapter 2.44 BIMC, designating the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management as the City's established emergency management organization. 

Please see the attached memo for more detailed information, including Ordinance No. 2013-09, which adopted Chapter 2.44 BIMC, as well as a copy of ILA KC-496-13. 

At the April 10, 2018, City Council meeting, the Council approved a motion to forward the withdrawal from ILA KC-496-13 to the April 24, 2018, Consent Agenda.