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Commissioners approve Everbridge renewal and mutual‑aid agreement with Yakima Valley
Summary
The board approved a one‑year renewal of the Everbridge emergency notification contract and a mutual‑aid agreement with the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management to formalize reciprocal support after recent fire seasons; both passed unanimously.
Wallowa County commissioners approved two emergency‑management items Nov. 24: a one‑year renewal of the county’s Everbridge electronic notification service and a mutual‑aid agreement with the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management.
Emergency Management Director Chris Lee described Everbridge as the county’s electronic telephone notification system used for evacuations, "get ready/get set" messages and other emergency alerts. He said the renewal was the same platform the county has used and that switching vendors would require rebuilding the county’s contact lists. Commissioners noted Everbridge is widely used and that staying on the platform preserves continuity for residents who are already signed up.
Lee also explained that the mutual‑aid agreement arose from limited state Emergency Management Office travel capacity after a severe fire season; the agreement formalizes reciprocal support among eastern Washington agencies so counties can assist one another when possible. The agreement carries no mandatory deployment obligations and was reviewed by legal staff.
Both items were approved by motion and voice vote; commissioners expressed support for regional cooperation and continuity of warning systems.
What’s next: The Emergency Management Director will sign the Everbridge renewal and the mutual‑aid agreement and continue coordinating regional response capabilities and outreach about the county’s alerting system.
