KING COUNTY FIRE PROCEDURE
Section 11
Adopted xx/xx/xx
Updated 09/24/12
1.0
PURPOSE
1.1
This procedure is adopted by the King County Fire Chiefs as a standard for all fire
departments within King County as a county-wide standard.
2.0
REFERENCES
2.1
2.2
3.0
POLICY STATEMENT
3.1
4.0
Local Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
King County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
To enhance readiness throughout the King County Region, Fire Agencies will be
familiar with the basic concepts of evacuating the public. It is important to have a
common concept of operations with the interdependency of mutual and automatic
aid used in emergency response.
DEFINITIONS
4.1
EVACUATION ALERT (LEVEL 1)
A protective evacuation ALERT has been issued for this area.
Persons are warned that current or projected threats from hazards associated with
the approaching (HAZMAT, flood, etc) are severe.
4.2
EVACUATION REQUEST (LEVEL 2)
An evacuation REQUEST has been issued for this area. Events dictate a good
probability that hazards associated with the approaching (HAZMAT,
flood, etc) will severely limit our ability to provide emergency services
protection. Dangerous conditions exist that may threaten residents or businesses.
4.3
EVACUATION ORDER (LEVEL 3)
An evacuation ORDER has been issued for this area. Current conditions present
specific and immediate threat(s) to the life and safety of persons within this area.
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5.0
4.4
EVACUATION
Organized, phases, and supervised withdrawal, dispersal, or removal of civilians
from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas, and their reception and care in
safe areas.
4.5
ISOLATION
Removal of a population from a room or immediate structure.
4.6
SHELTER IN PLACE
Isolation of a population within a structure to protect them from an airborne
hazardous materials release.
PROCEDURE
5.1
Activate applicable EOC/ECC.
5.1.1 Work in concert with local emergency management and law enforcement.
5.1.2 Only the highest elected official, such as the King County Executive, a Mayor
of a city, or their designee has the authority to order an evacuation. This will be done
in conjunction with the on-scene IC. An evacuation order cannot be mandatory under
Washington State law, but can be highly recommended.
5.1.3 Consideration will be given to:
a. Type of population to be evacuated (special needs, vulnerable
populations)
b. Pets and large animals including livestock
c. Some citizens will refuse to evacuate
d. Sheltering needs
e. Evacuation may be immediate and not allow for planning
5.2
Establish Unified Command with local law enforcement. In many cases law
enforcement will be the primary agency responsible for evacuation.
5.2.1 ICS will be used to manage evacuation activities and phases at all levels.
5.2.2 Supporting agencies may include Department of Transportation, KC Metro
Transit, School Districts, or others with mass transit capabilities.
5.3
Identify the area to be evacuated and timing of the evacuation.
5.3.1 Issue the appropriate level of warning.
5.4 Public Notification - Warning
5.4.1
When possible, the public will be provided warning of impending
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evacuation. Three phases (Alert [Level 1], Request [Level 2] and Order [Level 3])
will be used in planning and conducting evacuations.
5.4.2 The Incident Commander initiates the warning of affected populations by
appropriate methods available (EAS, Code Red, Reverse 911, media outlets, door
to door teams). This may be done through local OEM or the Communications
Center.
5.4.3
6.0
RESPONSIBILITY
6.1
The King County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency in King County Government
for planning and conducting evacuations in unincorporated King County and its
contracted cities. KCSO may elect to set up an incident command post in the
unincorporated area, or utilize the King County Coordination Center in Renton.
All King County departments will assist KCSO in support of an evacuation. The
King County ECC will assist KCSO by coordinating county resources for the
evacuation.
6.2
Each City may have a different division of city government assigned the
responsibility of organizing evacuations and sheltering. Law Enforcement will
typically be the lead agency in planning and conducting evacuations. Fire
departments must be familiar with the emergency management responsibilities of
the cities that they serve.
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Appendix A
Developed by multi-discipline committee for Green River Evacuation and County wide use.
Prepared as a flyer that could be left at a residence or business.
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