Agency: 245 - Military Department

The Executive Management Team and administrative functions support all of the activities of the department. The range of services/support includes executive oversight and direction, policy development, strategic planning, public disclosure, records management, quality initiatives, budgeting, accounting services, procurement, inventory control, risk management, information technology/telecommunications, and human resource management.

The Washington Youth Academy (WYA) is a state administered high school for 16-19 year old high school drop outs. The goal of the program is to give at risk youth a second chance to become responsible, productive citizens by helping them improve their life skills, education levels, and employment potential. The program is voluntary and students attend a 22 week residential academy followed by a 12 month post-residential mentoring program. The WYA is an academic institution with credentialed staff supporting the education goals and priorities of the Governor and the citizens of Washington State.

The Emergency Management Division (EMD) manages public information, educational and outreach programs that support local and state preparedness, and readiness initiatives. These programs engage businesses, the public, non-profit organizations, local governments, and state agencies to prepare for emergencies or disasters, and to respond and recover with minimal disruption. Objectives of these programs are to enhance public knowledge of the hazards they face; instruct the public on how to prepare, and the correct actions to take during and after a disaster; and ensure state and local government essential emergency services remain available, which reduces the impact of disasters and emergencies on the people, economy, environment, and property in Washington. Military Support to Civil Authorities is a key component of this function and the National Guard readiness to assist in disasters is a core mission of the agency. Nearly 90 percent of all federal non-disaster related grants managed by the EMD are passed through to local jurisdictions to enhance their preparedness and response programs.

The Emergency Management Division (EMD) manages and maintains the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC), to effectively communicate and coordinate action with state agencies and local jurisdictions for effective response during an emergency. The State Alert and Warning Center, located in the state EOC, is a central point of contact for incident notification and information dissemination (24 hours a day, 365 days a year), which begins the state response to emergencies. The state EOC requires trained staff and effective and redundant communication and information systems to coordinate with and assist local jurisdictions and state agencies during emergencies and disasters. Local jurisdiction governments collect and process information from multiple sources and communicate status to the state EOC, which allows the state to coordinate state agency response and recovery actions (including resource assignment) and request assistance from the federal government when necessary. EMD administers federal disaster relief funds after a federal declaration of major disaster or emergency and coordinates the state recovery efforts. Over 90 percent of funds managed by the activity are passed through to local jurisdictions to enhance their preparedness and response programs.

The Enhanced 911 (E-911) program works with other state agencies, counties, and communications companies to ensure that residents of the state of Washington have access to emergency assistance through an enhanced 911 system. The E-911 state coordinator has the responsibility to provide oversight of statewide 911 wire line and wireless systems including working with national and state regulators, establishing statewide performance standards, influencing national standards, and establishing rules and policies for reimbursement of 911 expenses. Assistance includes the following areas: network, technical, database/GIS, national issues, financial, operations, training, administration, accessibility, contingency planning, wireless, and public education. Over 90 percent of the Enhanced 911 funds received by the Military Department are passed through or provide direct support to local jurisdictions E-911 systems.

The Military Department Emergency Management Division (EMD) coordinates and manages educational and outreach programs that support hazard mitigation. Objectives of these programs are to enhance public knowledge of the hazards they face, and encourage homeowners, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments to take appropriate hazard mitigation measures. These activities reduce the impact of hazards on the people, economy, environment, and property in Washington. EMD develops and coordinates the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is required to maintain eligibility for Federal Disaster Relief funds. EMD also assists local jurisdictions develop hazard mitigation plans, which makes them eligible to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation grant funding opportunities.

The Military Department is responsible for a variety of facility management functions which include facility operations and maintenance, facility planning and capital budget development, property management services, security services, and environmental management for all facilities and properties under the jurisdiction of the agency. These management functions cover a wide range of activities such as routine maintenance, repair, and daily caretaker services that preserve existing facilities to ensure the National Guard and the Military Department have well maintained and operational facilities from which to operate and to respond to an emergency or major disaster. The security force provides security to Camp Murray and provides for the protection of state officials, including the Governor, while at Camp Murray during times of emergency.

This activity designs, manages, maintains, and repairs telecommunications, information technology, and warning systems for local and state emergency management organizations. Commercial and state systems support interoperable and redundant voice and data communications for warning citizens and emergency response agencies, and for coordinating emergency response actions among local, state, federal, tribal, nonprofit, and private entities. Radio frequency management, communication security, network security, telecommunications planning, and technical assistance visits are conducted to enhance the interoperability of public safety telecommunications systems. Military Department employees host, or are members of various national, state, local, and private sector committees, including the State Interoperability Executive Committee. The Military Department also is working on a five-year project administered by the Department of Defense (DOD) to demonstrate the feasibility to integrate DOD communication system technology to create and test systems for local government applications. This initiative is called the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) project.

The Washington National Guard performs state active duty missions under the provisions of RCW 38.08.040. The Governor can order the National Guard to active state service when an event such as a natural or man-made disaster occurs, or when there is an imminent threat to public health and safety. State active duty missions may include: emergency response support, as requested by civil authorities; air and land transportation; security forces and traffic control; light urban search and rescue; support to law enforcement for civil disturbances; supplemental communications; emergency medical assistance; damage assessment; power generation; and water purification. Upon activation by the Governor, the state must pay for the use of the Washington National Guard and its equipment, unless federal funds are authorized for such purpose.

The Military Department’s Security Services provides personnel and equipment for force protection for all staff, facility, and equipment security statewide. This program is a key component of the agency’s anti-terrorism plan. Services are provided through armed security personnel; a vehicle and employee pass and identification program; electronic monitoring and surveillance; and an extensive facility lock/key program. In addition to routine security functions, the Military Department also has responsibilities under the state's continuity of government plan for protection of state officials while at Camp Murray during times of emergency.