Former Poulsbo police chief Dan Schoonmaker was recently hired as the city’s Emergency Management coordinator and was introduced to the City Council.
Council approved last year to hire an EMC. Schoonmaker, who is also the head football coach at Bainbridge High School, said his initial focus in the first 90 days on the job included updating Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan, ensuring the city has a functional Emergency Operation Center and employee training through Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“These documents are living documents; things change rapidly,” Schoonmaker said, adding he plans to review them quarterly.
“We’re not supporting 13,000 people, were supporting 40,000 people,” Mayor Becky Erickson said. “If we have a serious emergency it’s not going to be just the city…it’s what I call the county of Poulsbo. I am quite worried about this.”
Emergency management goals for this year include:Employee training: ensure required training for all employees is in progress and completed; internal training on emergency response and EOC operations.
Comprehensive planning: ensure internal documents are updated; ensure employees understand their roles during an emergency.
Community engagement: develop community-oriented training on emergency preparedness through parks and recreation; consider development of a Community Advisory Committee on emergency preparedness
Resource development: engage and collaborate with other cities and Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management; engage local resources and develop community partners related to emergency preparedness
Regarding schedule of events, EOC orientation will occur in February or March to familiarize staff with assignments/responsibilities, per city documents. A workplace hazard drill will take place in May or June, followed by a tabletop exercise with critical EOC positions in August or September, and finally have staff participate in the Great Shakeout Oct. 16.
Additional emergency management considerations include posting tsunami zone signage in potentially affected areas, along with signage safely directing the community out of the affected area; encourage community to register for Nixle and KitsapALERT notifications; and develop a group of volunteers to assist with community outreach, emergency situations and other special events, documents read.
