About Us

Franklin County Emergency Management (FCEM) is a vital agency dedicated to enhancing community safety and preparedness. Primarily funded through grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Washington, FCEM focuses on community outreach, emergency planning, training, and conducting exercises.

With a dedicated team of four employees, FCEM is tasked with maintaining the Emergency Coordination Center, ensuring it is always ready to respond to emergencies within Franklin County. The agency provides essential support to first responders and facilitates communication with residents through the CodeRED System and the Emergency Alert System during times of emergency or disaster.

FCEM serves the cities of Connell, Kahlotus, Mesa, and Pasco, along with the unincorporated areas of Franklin County, WA. The agency was established through an interlocal agreement among these jurisdictions, allowing for collaborative emergency management efforts.

FCEM operates under RCW 38.52 and adheres to the guidelines set forth in WAC 118-30 and WAC 118-40, ensuring compliance with state regulations and best practices in emergency management. 

The FCEM Board is comprised of members from each of the jurisdictions: 

  • Franklin County – 2 Voting Members
  • Connell – 1 Voting Member
  • Kahlotus – 1 Voting Member
  • Mesa – 1 Voting Member
  • Pasco – 2 Voting Members

FCEM Board meetings take place on the third Thursday in January, April, July, and October. Meetings commence at 3:30 PM and are held at the FCEM office (1011 E Ainsworth St, Pasco, WA 99301). In addition to in-person attendance, Board meetings are also accessible virtually. Call the office at (509) 545-3546 to get the call-in/video link information for the meeting. 

Meeting Minutes

Below is FCEM’s current Interlocal Agreement, signed by the Board and the Master Mutual Aid Agreement: 

FCEM Interlocal Agreement

Under WAC 118-04-100, all Emergency Management volunteers are classified as Emergency Workers. When you volunteer with FCEM, you are registering as an Emergency Workers within both Franklin County and the State of Washington. 

Your Role as an Emergency Worker

Each Emergency Worker plays a crucial role in the emergency preparedness of Franklin County. Regardless of the specific duties you signed up for, your assistance may be requested during a major emergency or disaster. Your availability and qualifications will guide you on how and when we will reach out for your support. 

Collaboration with First Responders

FCEM is not an emergency response agency, but we collaborate closely with various first responders, including:  

  • Pasco Police and Fire Departments
  • Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Dispatch Center
  • Washington State Patrol
  • Franklin County Fire Protection Districts
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
  • American Red Cross
  • Other Federal, State, and Local Agencies

Legal Protections for Volunteers

Under RCW 38.52, Emergency Workers are protected for medical services and property loss or damage, as well as liability during the time required to travel to the duty site, perform the activity, and return to their point of origin. 

Training and Drills

FCEM Emergency Workers are encouraged to not only respond to disasters but also to engage in a variety of drills and exercises. These include training sessions organized by the Department of Energy-Hanford, the Columbia Generating Station Nuclear Plant, the Emergency Worker Assistance Center (EWAC), Pasco Airport, and active shooter drills, among others. 

Participating in these drills provides an invaluable opportunity to refine skills, broaden knowledge, and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse responses our volunteers may be required to undertake during emergencies. 

Required Courses

FCEM volunteers must complete the FEMA Independent Study Courses 100, 200, and 700 within six months upon application. Each course takes approximately one hour to complete. A FEMA ID and login are required to access these free courses. 

Application Reminders

Before completing your volunteer application, please review all required forms. A photograph for identification will be needed. Your information will be kept strictly confidential between you and FCEM. 

Become a Volunteer

On behalf of the Mayors, Commissioners, and citizens of Franklin County, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your willingness to serve your community. 

FCEM is committed to providing access to public records in compliance with the laws and statutes of the State of Washington. In accordance with the Washington Public Records Act (Ch. 42.56 RCW), the agency has five business days to respond to any request for public records. 

Local agencies, as mandated by the Public Records Act, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. FCEM is dedicated to fulfilling this obligation in a timely and professional manner. 

A variety of public records are readily available for inspection and download on this website at no charge. We encourage requestors to review the available records before submitting a formal request. 

FCEM Board MinutesFCEM Plans/Documents

Making a Public Records Request

Any person seeking to request public records may submit a request to FCEM by using the FCEM Public Records Printable Request Form or the FCEM Public Records Fillable Request Form.  

Alternative methods for requesting records are described in the FCEM Public Records Disclosure Policy. 

After We Receive Your Request

A request for records under the Washington Public Records Act must seek an identifiable record. General requests for information are not treated as requests for public records and do not fall under the Public Records Act. FCEM is not required to create a new record to satisfy a request for information or a public records request.

Upon receiving a request for an identifiable record, FCEM will take one or more of the following actions within five business days:

  • Make the record(s) available, in whole or in part, for inspection or copying.
  • Acknowledge the request and provide a reasonable estimate of the time required by FCEM to respond to the request.
  • Acknowledge the request and ask the requester to provide clarification for a request that is unclear, and provide, to the greatest extent possible, a reasonable estimate of time necessary to respond to the request if it is not clarified.
  • Deny the request, in whole or in part, and provide a written explanation for the denial, including citation to the statutory exemption.

Seeking Clarification

In the event that a records request is unclear, FCEM will contact the requester within five business days to attempt to clarify the specific records sought. Once clarified, FCEM will respond in accordance with the process stated above. If a requestor fails to provide clarification for a request that is wholly unclear, or fails to describe an identifiable public record with adequate specificity such that it can be located, FCEM may consider the request closed.

Records Exempt from Public Disclosure

The Public Records Act provides that a number of record types are exempt from public inspection and copying (see RCW 42.56.210 – 692). Additional information on exemptions can be found in the FCEM Public Records Disclosure Policy.

Hours of Inspection

For requestors who choose to inspect requested records, public records are available for inspection and copying during normal business hours of FCEM (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) excluding municipal holidays and staffing. Records must be inspected at the FCEM office, and arrangements for inspection and/or copying must be made in advance.

Costs

Please see FCEM’s Fee Schedule for costs associated with public records production. 

Accommodation

For assistance in making a public records request, please contact the FCEM office.