Oct. 30, 2007

Region’s leaders announce new measures to speed winter response as they kick-off annual storm campaign

On the heels of a winter that brought historic floods, wind and snow to Puget Sound, four of the region's largest agencies have announced a series of new actions to improve coordination and speed response as the next storm season gets underway. Those actions were highlighted today as part of the region's kick-off of the annual "Take Winter by Storm" campaign.

"Last winter was the ultimate wake-up call reminding us just how vulnerable we are when we're not prepared," King County Executive Ron Sims said. "But for residents and first responders alike, there were numerous lessons learned – lessons that have now produced new partnerships aimed at keeping the public safer the next time we are tested by the weather."

Agencies taking part in this year's Take Winter by Storm campaign include the city of Seattle, King County, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). These agencies, together with partner agencies from throughout the region, are improving response on several fronts.

Regional Utility Task Force

Since last December's devastating windstorm, PSE has been working with a variety of organizations – including state and county emergency management agencies, health and transportation departments and the Red Cross – to improve the way their respective emergency response plans and procedures interact. For example, through Utility Road Clearing Task Forces that have been formed across PSE's service territory, plans are being developed to speed the removal of downed trees and electrical wire so that power can be restored and roads reopened more quickly.

This partnership will establish direct communication between line crews and field personnel from other agencies and will speed clean up and repair efforts. Improving communication between various jurisdictions' emergency operations centers and refining their response priorities is another important feature.

"A severe storm or natural disaster can affect the community in many different ways on many different levels, so it's critical that those responsible for key public services respond to such events in a well-planned, coordinated fashion," said Mary Robinson, PSE manager of Operations Continuity. "Puget Sound Energy is committed to playing an integral part in inter-agency coordination to best help the customers and communities we serve."

Coordinating priority snow removal routes with Metro Transit

Through an effort spearheaded by the King County Department of Transportation, cities all across the county have teamed up with Metro Transit and the county's Roads Services Division to more closely link priority snow removal routes with bus routes.

"While there have been efforts made to coordinate in the past, this is the first time these routes have been synchronized and mapped for use by all transportation agencies in the county," King County Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi said. "As we head into winter, several cities have already joined us in our effort to tighten the linkages between priority snow routes and transit routes."

This multi-jurisdictional coordination should help ensure that bus routes are more clearly identified as priorities when city and county snowplows take to the streets this winter.

Transit towing partnership

Last year, King County Metro Transit bus drivers found themselves in the same position as many other drivers. They were unable to move their buses when they got stuck in snow. This year, WSDOT and King County Metro have come to an agreement that allows WSDOT Incident Response Teams to push Metro buses to the nearest exit to clear those blocked lanes and on- and off-ramps.

This year, fewer blockage problems are expected as a result of this new partnership. The towing agreement will also help free up highway lanes or ramps and help get both bus passengers and motorists moving again. Metro has entered into similar agreements with private towing companies in the region.

"When we have snow, ice or heavy rain, it's imperative that we all work together because our systems are all interconnected," WSDOT Regional Administrator Lorena Eng said. "City streets and county roads lead to and from state highways. Local buses drive on state highways. It's about working together to keep all roads in Puget Sound moving and getting people home safely. Working together as one unit we can do that."

Public Health - reaching more vulnerable populations faster

Since last year's windstorm, Public Health – Seattle & King County has expanded its ability to get critical health and safety messages quickly to people who may not get information from traditional sources. The department developed a partnership called the "Communications Network," comprised of 130 community-based organizations across King County that are ready to distribute important health and safety information and alerts from Public Health to vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations quickly.

In an emergency, the Communications Network partners also serve as the eyes and ears of the community by reporting back on the needs of the people they serve. The network is a project of the Vulnerable Populations Action Team (VPAT) initiative, which works to increase the readiness and resilience of the most vulnerable populations and ensure that no one group is more impacted than another in an emergency. Learn more about the VPAT team at www.metrokc.gov/health/vpat.

Improved shelter coordination

Following one of the worst windstorms in the region's history, the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) began an effort to develop a regional comprehensive sheltering strategy. During last year's storms, it became clear the area's sheltering practices lacked coordination and were plagued by too few resources. OEM hosted two regional "Shelter Summits" in 2007, which led to the formation of a shelter work group comprised of 30 individuals and agencies from across the region. The group's goal is to create a regional sheltering strategy, as well as define various types of shelters, such as home or business, dormitory, pet, warming/cooling centers, and feeding centers. When this project is complete in 2008, it will allow responders to more safely and efficiently fulfill sheltering needs resulting from weather events or disasters.

Public Service Campaign

King County and the city of Seattle are partnering this winter to help residents be better prepared through the Take Winter by Storm campaign.

"Our collective goal in this campaign is to urge everyone to prepare now so they are ready for power outages, frigid weather and anything else which may come our way," Seattle Director of Emergency Management Barb Graff said. "Last year's wind and snow storms -- and the windstorm earlier this month -- were reminders that we live in an area of the country which routinely receives severe weather."

Over the next several months, public service announcements featuring King County Executive Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels will air on local AM and FM stations throughout the region, reminding residents to prepare their homes, cars, and property for winter weather. Additionally, the campaign will specifically reach out to communities where English is not the first language, using ethnic radio and newspaper outlets. During last year's windstorm, communities where English is not the primary language, were particularly hard hit by extended power outages around the region.

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