Emergency Response

What to Do Before a Dam is in Distress

• Make a list of those who need to know.
• Take preventative action.
• Write an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
• Know your resources.

What to Do in a Disaster

• Follow your EAP (Emergency Action Plan)
• Contact Populations at Risk
• Identify and Assess Emergency Conditions.
• Contact WMD (Washington Military Department / Emergency Management Division)
• Contact Ecology's Dam Safety Office

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Guidelines for Developing Dam Emergency Action Plans (EAP)

The Dam Safety Office has developed an Emergency Action Plan template and guidelines to help dam owners or their representatives create a plan that will be used in case of an unusual event or emergency. 

• Guidelines for Developing an Emergency Action Plan Document - February 2011  This document is required for any dam with a significant or high downstream hazard, that is, a dam whose failure could potentially cause a loss of life.  The document provides detailed instructions on what is required in a Dam Emergency Action Plan.
  • Simplified Emergency Action Plan Form - March 2011  This form should suffice for most dam owners in planning a response to a dam-related emergency.
  • Emergency Action Plan Form - December 2010  This form is provided should the Simplified version prove inadequate to detail the response to a dam-related emergency in the opinion of the plan preparer.

Please contact the Dam Safety office should you wish advice on selecting the Simplified or longer form.

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Follow Emergency Procedures

The Dam Safety Office has identified procedures to be implemented by Water Resources Program, Dam Safety Office professional engineers in the event of an emergency condition at a dam where lives, property or the environment could be at risk in the downstream valley.

You can request a copy of this internal document by emailing Ben Bonkowski and requesting "The Dam Safety Office Emergency Procedures Manual".

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Involve Emergency Response Partners

• EMD - Washington Military Department
• FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency
• US Army Corps of Engineers - Seattle District
• USACE - Reservoir Control Center
• City of Seattle - All-Hazards Mitigation Plan
• City of Seattle - Disaster Readiness & Response Plan
• City of Seattle - Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis

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Find Washington Emergency Management Help

• WA Emergency Management
• Washington Emergency Management Division – Contact Us
• Washington Military Department – Contact Us
• WA Emergency Management - Coordinates Grants
  • From Homeland Security ($1.6 Billion)
  • For Hazard Mitigation Projects
  • For Disaster Assistance
• WA Emergency Management - How to Prepare for Disasters