Deputy public safety director outlines updated emergency plan, training and volunteer communications

Deputy Director of Public Safety Eric Chartrand presented an update on the city’s emergency management program at the Feb. 25 study session, describing a completed update to the city’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, required FEMA training for staff and new auxiliary communications and supplies for initial response.

Chartrand said he completed a CEMP update in February that aligns staff titles and assignments to specific emergency roles and that the city is now in the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) template process. He said Snohomish County will provide a liaison under the DEM grant program to help complete the CEMP. “This CEMP is a fantastic work product in my opinion as it outlines each city's resources, which includes staffing, vehicles, heavy equipment,” Chartrand said.

Chartrand outlined training progress: he reported police personnel have completed required FEMA online courses, the city has logged more than 400 hours of documented training across staff, and that director‑level FEMA in‑person training and tabletop exercises are planned in the fall after online prerequisites are met. He also said the city purchased food and water to support roughly a seven‑day supply for about 50 staff and is assembling personal‑care kits for employees.

On communications, Chartrand described a new relationship with the Snohomish County auxiliary communications group (ham radio volunteers), repairs and equipment updates to the city radio room, and arranged access so volunteers can perform weekly checks and respond to incidents. He also identified the city’s Marcom director, Jody, as the designated public information officer (PIO) under the incident command structure for dissemination of official information.

Council members pressed for more tactical, locally specific planning. Council member Cavalieri and others asked for concrete “if/then” steps — for example, specified local shelters, mapping of distribution sites, succession lines for leadership if city managers are unavailable, and public exercises that involve the community. Chartrand and council members agreed tabletop exercises and live drills will be needed and that more work is required on community outreach and neighborhood “map your neighborhood” programs; Chartrand confirmed the police department previously offered a Map Your Neighborhood class and the city is seeking a new instructor following retirement of the prior instructor.

Why it matters: Chartrand said Mill Creek sits near the Southern Whidbey Island fault and Snohomish County DEM lists earthquakes, floods, weather events and epidemics as the most probable hazards for the city. Council members urged the city to emphasize local self‑sufficiency for residents and to accelerate exercises and public communication so residents know where to go and what to do in the hours and days after a major incident.

What’s next: Staff will continue FEMA training, work with Snohomish County DEM liaison on the CEMP template, expand CERT/volunteer enrollment and schedule tabletop and community drills. Council asked for a tactical plan document that lists steps and roles for sheltering, logistics and communications during a major incident.

Ending: Council thanked Chartrand for the update and asked for follow‑up material showing tactical checklists, proposed public‑information plans and an exercise schedule.