The Vashon Emergency Operations Center serves island residents before and during critical events as activated and directed by Vashon Island Fire and Rescue in collaboration with King County's Office of Emergency Management. With many years of training and activations, we serve as a model organization addressing Vashon's unique geographical and logistical situation.

The Vashon Emergency Operations Center reports - during emergencies - to the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) Fire Chief who serves as the island's Emergency Manager & Incident Commander. VIFR in turn reports up to the King County Office of Emergency Management. They report to the State Office of Emergency Management who then responds to FEMA.

Vashon’s Emergency Operations Team meets the 1^st Wednesday at 6:30 PM each month (except December) just inside the east entrance of the main fire station #55 on Bank Road. (With Covid, its all Zoom of course.) Maybe 20 people show up – experienced and novice alike. That is a great way to gauge what Vashon's key disaster representatives are up to and meet many of the key teams and volunteers. The team operates under the aegis of VIFR and King County during an event, but non-emergency training, activities and finances are handled by VashonBePrepared.

The Vashon EOC strives to follow the standard Incident Control System.

Overview: Participate in planning, training and drills, plus provide good on-call service when the EOC is activated. Service shifts in an emergency can be long but are on a rotation with other volunteers. Terrific mentoring and training is provided monthly by our EOC managers and section leaders.

Utilities

Collect information about status and needs of utility systems island-wide (electrical, natural gas, water, landline & cell phone systems, and sewer). Triage and post summary information for the Incident Commander and other EOC desks. Handle communications in/out with utility companies.

Logistics

Gather information, opportunities and potential resources for the island - acting as a primary conduit for resource requests with King County Office of Emergency Management.

Message

Collect, triage/sort and disseminate written messages in/out of various desks in EOC. Write succinct messages for transmission via radio and email.

Messengers

Walk, drive or bike to deliver bulletins and information to key points in downtown Vashon and the outskirts of the island. Usually work in pairs; make field observations and give reports back to the Vashon Emergency Operations Center.

Emergent Volunteers

Greet the public and check in "emergent" volunteers (people who show up to offer help) in a disaster situation. Coordinate with the EOC to get work assignments for these volunteers.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards—regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity—in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment.