Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 38.52.020 (2026)

Declaration of policy and purpose

✓ current as of May 2026

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(1) Because of the existing and increasing possibility of the occurrence of disasters of unprecedented size and destructiveness as defined in RCW 38.52.010(13), and in order to insure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such disasters, to insure the administration of state and federal programs providing disaster relief to individuals, and further to insure adequate support for search and rescue operations, and generally to protect the public peace, health, and safety, and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the state, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary:

(a) To provide for emergency management by the state, and to authorize the creation of local organizations for emergency management in the political subdivisions of the state;

(b) To confer upon the governor and upon the executive heads of the political subdivisions of the state the emergency powers provided herein;

(c) To provide for the rendering of mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state and with other states and to cooperate with the federal government with respect to the carrying out of emergency management functions;

(d) To provide a means of compensating emergency management workers who may suffer any injury, as herein defined, or death; who suffer economic harm including personal property damage or loss; or who incur expenses for transportation, telephone or other methods of communication, and the use of personal supplies as a result of participation in emergency management activities;

(e) To provide programs, with intergovernmental cooperation, to educate and train the public to be prepared for emergencies; and

(f) To provide for the prioritization, development, and exercise of continuity of operations plans by the state.

(2) It is further declared to be the purpose of this chapter and the policy of the state that all emergency management functions of this state and its political subdivisions be coordinated to the maximum extent with the comparable functions of the federal government including its various departments and agencies of other states and localities, and of private agencies of every type, to the end that the most effective preparation and use may be made of the nation's manpower, resources, and facilities for dealing with any disaster that may occur.

[ 2025 c 58 s 2017; 2015 c 61 s 2; 1986 c 266 s 24; 1984 c 38 s 3; 1979 ex.s. c 268 s 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 113 s 2; 1974 ex.s. c 171 s 5; 1967 c 203 s 2; 1953 c 223 s 1; 1951 c 178 s 2.]

Notes:

Explanatory note—2025 c 58: See note following RCW 1.16.050.

Severability—1986 c 266: See note following RCW 38.52.005.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 10 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2021 · leading case: Munich v. Skagit Emergency Commc'ns Ctr., 288 P.3d 328 (Wash. 2012).

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Munich v. Skagit Emergency Commc'ns Ctr., 288 P.3d 328 (Wash. 2012). “RCW 38.52.020 similarly provides for emergency management by the State and the creation of local organizations for emergency management in the political subdivisions of the state, for many reasons, including to protect the public peace, health, and safety, and to preserve the…”

Cougar Bus. Owners Ass'n v. State, 647 P.2d 481 (Wash. 1982). “d rescue operations, and generally to provide for the common defense and to protect the public peace, health, and safety, and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the state, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary: (b) To confer upon the governor and upon…”

City Of Seattle, V. Delaura & Fred B. Norg, 491 P.3d 237 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “010, requiring county sheriffs to preserve the peace, and RCW 38.52.020, authorizing local governments to create emergency management organizations to protect the public peace and to preserve the lives of the people of the state.”

Burnett v. Tacoma City Light, 104 P.3d 677 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 4× “” RCW 38.52.020. Plaintiffs claim that they received express assurances from emergency workers that the flood would be as bad or similar to the November 1995 flood, even though the Agencies knew that this flood would be worse.”

Fishburn v. Pierce Cnty. Plan., 250 P.3d 146 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “3d 677 (2004) (statute empowering cities to take actions necessary to combat local disasters evidences intent to protect "the people of the state," rather than a particular group of individuals (emphasis omitted) (quoting RCW 38.52.020(1))). ¶ 28 In Halvorson v. Dahl, 89 Wash.”

Fishburn v. Pierce Cnty. Plan. & Land Servs. Dep't, 161 Wash. App. 452 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “3d 677 (2004) (statute empowering cities to take actions necessary to combat local disasters evidences intent to protect “ ‘the people of the state,’ ” rather than a particular group of individuals (emphasis omitted) (quoting RCW 38.52.020(1)). ¶28 In Halvorson v. Dahl, 89 Wn.”

Hauber v. Yakima Cnty., 107 Wash. App. 437 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “RCW 38.52.020(1). To those ends, the statute authorizes the creation of local organizations for emergency management; provides for mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state; and provides compensation for emergency workers who suffer injury, economic harm, or death.”

Burnett v. Tacoma City Light, 104 P.3d 677 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “" [14] RCW 38.52.020. [15] Plaintiffs claim that they received express assurances from emergency workers that the flood would be as bad or similar to the November 1995 flood, even though the agencies knew that this flood would be worse.”

Hauber v. Cnty. of Yakima, 27 P.3d 257 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “RCW 38.52.020(1). To those ends, the statute authorizes the creation of local organizations for emergency management; provides for mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state; and provides compensation for emergency workers who suffer injury, economic harm, or death.”

in Re Certified Question (Midwest Inst of Health V (Mich. 2020). “010 and Wash Rev Code 38.52.020(1); W Va Code 15-5- 1; Wis Stat 323.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 38.52.020(1) — 8 cases

Burnett v. Tacoma City Light, 104 P.3d 677 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “” RCW 38.52.020. Plaintiffs claim that they received express assurances from emergency workers that the flood would be as bad or similar to the November 1995 flood, even though the Agencies knew that this flood would be worse.”

Burnett v. Tacoma City Light, 104 P.3d 677 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “" [14] RCW 38.52.020. [15] Plaintiffs claim that they received express assurances from emergency workers that the flood would be as bad or similar to the November 1995 flood, even though the agencies knew that this flood would be worse.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 38.52.020(1)(a) — 2 cases

Hauber v. Yakima Cnty., 107 Wash. App. 437 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “RCW 38.52.020(1). To those ends, the statute authorizes the creation of local organizations for emergency management; provides for mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state; and provides compensation for emergency workers who suffer injury, economic harm, or death.”

Hauber v. Cnty. of Yakima, 27 P.3d 257 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “RCW 38.52.020(1). To those ends, the statute authorizes the creation of local organizations for emergency management; provides for mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state; and provides compensation for emergency workers who suffer injury, economic harm, or death.”

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