Disaster Management Committee Records

Series

Identifier: 6402-03

Scope and Contents note

The Disaster Management Committee was made up of representatives from multiple city departments, including Engineering, City Light, Parks, Law, Police, and Fire. The committee worked on various issues related to the city's disaster preparedness, including equipment, preparedness exercises, communications, supplies, and training. These records document the committee's discussions and recommendations.

Dates

Creation: 1991-2001

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). Office of Emergency Management (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access note

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

In the late 1980s, the Mayor's Office began to emphasize the importance of emergency management, resulting in the establishment of the Office of Emergency Services. Created as part of the Seattle Fire Department, the renamed Office of Emergency Management (OEM) transferred to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in 1991. When DAS was absorbed into other city departments, OEM moved to the Seattle Police Department, where it remains today. OEMâs purpose is "to establish a disaster preparedness program for the City; to coordinate all city agencies and other jurisdictions in response to catastrophic events; and to recover from and mitigate loss of properties and lives of citizens."