County commissioner to talk disaster management

County looking at a better way to manage disasters with a new department and council

An interlocal agreement that will establish an emergency management program with all cities in Kitsap County will be on the agenda when the commission meets Monday.

The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chambers at 619 Division St., Port Orchard.

The agreement will establish the Department of Emergency Management, which will be the successor to the Emergency Management Organization of Kitsap County. The department will be overseen by a council comprised of five people including, one commissioner and mayors of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard and Poulsbo.

The council will appoint a director who will oversee operations. Funding for the department will be by grants, and cities and the county. The department will establish a program to manage disasters and emergencies whether natural, technological or human-caused.