SPOKANE VALLEY — At the June 25 City Council meeting, legislative coordinator Virginia Clough and county Emergency Management Planner Mark Conrad presented a report detailing the city’s Continuity of Operations Plan, a component of the interlocal agreement with Spokane County Emergency Management.
The agreement, renewed in May 2023, outline city obligations, including appointing an emergency management coordinator, designating representatives to the emergency management policy board and developing and maintaining both a COOP and an Emergency Operations Plan.
“A city team will be looking at and updating that plan this year, that allows us to remain eligible for FEMA funding,” Clough said.
She emphasized that the COOP is part of a comprehensive policy document that encompasses various emergency plans, including the Hazard Specific Plan for COVID-19, the Emergency Operations Plan for coordination and communication, and the Hazard Mitigation Plan for reducing the impact of natural hazards.
The COOP outlines scenarios that could disrupt city operations, such as biological incidents, explosions, natural disasters, power failures, technological incidents, winter storms, active shooter incidents and loss of building use.
The plan aims to preserve the continuity of essential government functions, reduce the number of employees affected, ensure succession of leadership and achieve timely recovery and resumption of full services.
“Broken down by division instead of department, for instance, in city services, facilities, and communications, it was important to boil down each of those essential duties within each division,” Clough said. “So, we have a more complete plan. If the city manager is missing, who’s authorized to make decisions in his stead?”
The COOP also specifies non-essential services that can be delayed, identifies impacts of reduced services and directs the creation of a training plan.
Next steps include the adoption of the COOP, beginning proactive measures, creating a training program, and completing an emergency plan.
The city team will also work with Spokane County to update the city’s annex of the Hazard Mitigation Plan, due in March 2025.
“There will be a motion for adoption later in July, work on the proactive measures that are in the plan, and put together a training program and exercises,” Clough said.
During the meeting, Councilman Ben Wick inquired about the inclusion of key contracts.
“I also think that would be addressed more in the EOP,” Clough said.
Conrad added: “This is really looking at what you, the city, control, and how do we make sure that the core services that we offer are being provided.”
Clough also mentioned that the COOP includes essential services and staff, such as the police and fire, ensuring operations continue during emergencies.
She concluded by stating that there is a unique public records exemption for the COOP to prevent potential vulnerabilities and compromise public safety.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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