Each county, city, and town (political subdivision) in Washington must establish an emergency management organization by ordinance or resolution, either independently or in cooperation with another political subdivision.

Every political subdivision must develop a local comprehensive emergency management plan to address all natural and man-made emergencies to which the political subdivision is vulnerable including a hazardous materials emergency response plan. The comprehensive emergency management plan must provide a functional description of how warnings and emergency information will be addressed.

A local organization that produces a local comprehensive emergency management plan must include in its communication plan an expeditious notification of citizens at risk during a hazardous materials spill or release. Notification must be via the most appropriate technology available to determine citizen risk levels.

PRO: There was a large gasoline line leak up in Skagit County, and leaked across the land and flowed out towards the Skagit River. Landowners had gasoline flowing across their properties and under their bridges and they didn't feel like they received timely notification. This is a belt and suspenders bill to make sure that affected communities are being promptly contacted in the case of emergency. Jurisdictions may choose what kind of technology is most appropriate to communicate to those likely to be affected.