Emergency management structure adjusted to reflect changes

Kathy Davis
Communications

Flooded farmland in Lewis County in 2009.

Not to frighten you, but we employees could experience any number of emergency risks. From natural disasters such as earthquakes and extreme weather to animal disease outbreaks or a radiological release – one could be overwhelmed pondering them all. 

Fortunately, WSDA has designated staff whose work includes thinking about the sometimes unthinkable. They strive to prepare for, communicate about, and respond to emergencies. 

Due to personnel changes and reorganization, the department’s emergency management structure has a new look. 

These functions have been incorporated into the Administrative Services Division, reporting to Jason Ferrante, associate deputy director. To make roles and responsibilities clear, emergency management is now generally split into internal and external functions. 

Internal emergency management is under the direction of Ron Hussung, manager of Safety and Risk Management. External emergency management is under Randy Treadwell, who heads the Rapid Response and Emergency Management Program (RREMP). 

Ron Hussung

Internal EM

The kind of emergencies we need to manage internally involve those that could occur at work and put employees at risk. They include workplace violence, weather disruptions, fire, earthquake, etc. 

“Keeping agency employees safe and secure is the Safety Office’s mission,” Ron said. 

Funding for these activities comes from refunds WSDA receives from the Worker’s Compensation Program “retro fund.” When the agency’s worker injuries are lower than predicted, we receive a portion of premiums paid in the previous year as a refund. These funds are reinvested in worker safety. 

State employees evacuate their building in Olympia. Photo
courtesy Office of Financial Management.

Ron will soon be recruiting to fill a position that will perform some of the tasks previously done by long-time emergency coordinator, Sonia Soelter, who has now left the agency. 

The person in this position will take on responsibilities such as internal employee training and exercise plans, sending emergency notifications, managing building security, performing respirator and fit-testing certification, and developing policy, plans and standard operating procedures. 

External EM

External risks are addressed by the RREMP, which focuses on emergencies that threaten the state’s agriculture industry and our stakeholders. They include animal or plant disease outbreaks, food and feed contamination, natural disasters such as floods or storms, and radiological releases from nuclear facilities. 

Randy Treadwell

“Much of this work requires coordination with outside partners, such as state Emergency Management Division, FDA, and other state, local and national agencies,” Randy said. 

“Any emergency management – internal or external – is based on the fundamentals of reducing risks, planning ahead, and responding when something does happen.” 

Another RREMP responsibility is to maintain WSDA’s Continuity of Operations Plan, which is intended to keep essential agency functions running during times of extreme disruption (think “the big one” quake). 

Our external activities are funded by a combination of grant funds from federal agencies such as Homeland Security, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Energy, as well as the state Utilities and Transportation Commission. 

Assisting Animal Services Division during the 2014-2015
outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in backyard poultry.

Erin Coyle, formerly with WSDA’s Organic Program, joined RREMP last July filling the position previously held by Paige Beck. Erin is being trained to be our agency’s lead liaison with the State Emergency Operations Center. She coordinates and works with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. 

Both Ron and Randy emphasized that in the event of a significant emergency, it will be “all hands on deck,” with the two areas working together to respond. 

If you have questions about the emergency management structure, or the assignment of duties between internal and external, feel free to contact either Randy or Ron. 

In summary: WSDA’s emergency management has been generally reorganized into internal and external functions. One focuses on our employees and workplaces, and the other on the state ag industry, stakeholders, and citizens. In the latest Insider blog post, learn how designated staff prepare for, communicate about, and respond to emergencies.