SNOHOMISH COUNTY — The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, recognizing the need to proactively address post-disaster issues, is developing a recovery framework that would speed up recovery from local disasters. The plan will guide the county’s efforts to restore its economic base, neighborhoods, social fabric and other long-term elements in the wake of a significant natural or human-caused event.

“Phase One” of the recovery plan has involved analyzing hazard risks throughout the county, reviewing existing recovery plans from around the nation, identifying best practices and lessons learned, and interviewing public and private officials whose organizations would likely be involved in a recovery effort following a major disaster event in Snohomish County. “Phase Two” of the project involves the establishment of a steering committee comprised of representatives from government, business, nonprofits and service sectors to guide the development of the plan with a focus on recovery goals, strategies, procedures and resources.

The first of several steering committee meetings has been planned for March 14, with two others slated for April 4 and 18. All three meetings will be open to the public and start at 10 a.m. The March 14 meeting will take place at the new Snohomish County Emergency Operations Center, located at 720 80th St. SW, Building A, in Everett. The April 4 meeting will take place at the Tulalip Administration Building, located at 6406 Marine Dr. in Tulalip. The April 18 meeting will take place at the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency, located at 2901 228th St. SW in Brier.

For more information, log onto http://bit.ly/wlF16y or contact Jason Biermann, recovery and mitigation program manager, at jason.biermann@snoco.org or 425-388-5068.