Emergency Management

Emergency Management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups and communities manage hazards in an effort to avoid their devastation.  In the City of Black Diamond, Emergency Management is built upon the following four phases: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. 

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. Evacuation of your home or neighborhood is possible or you and your family may be confined to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.  Washington State experiences significant impacts from natural hazards including floods, storms, wild fires, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Beyond natural hazards, there are technological hazards, including nuclear power plant incidents, chemical weapon stockpiles, dam failures, and hazardous material spills. All of these require assessment and determination by state, county, and city officials in order to organize resources so loss can be prevented or minimized.  Some plans and preparation now will help you and your loved ones get through a disaster.