Programs

The Office of Emergency Management provides programs to help people learn how to reduce their vulnerability to disasters and get them involved in emergency response. Use the links below to explore these programs. The Office does a lot of work to benefit citizens outside of these programs. You are encouraged to explore this site to learn about our work helping businesses, leading the City's emergency planning, and coordinating recovery efforts.

Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP)
SNAP is an education program that teaches people how to prepare for disasters. One of its most powerful aspects is its flexibility. It empowers people to organize in groups to get ready and allows them to tailor disaster plans to meet their own particular needs. The SNAP program can be used to help you make plans for yourself, your family, your business and your block. It emphasizes giving you the tools you need to best serve yourself.

Earthquake Safe Home
Find out whether your home needs to be retrofitted and what you can do about it. The Office of Emergency Management manages the Earthquake Safe Home program that helps citizens retrofit their homes to better withstand earthquakes.

General Disaster Preparedness Presentation
Disaster Preparedness presentations are available upon request to groups within the City of Seattle. To schedule a preparedness presentation with one of our educators, please read the following guidelines:

• Instructors are available during regular business hours Monday - Friday and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (ending no later than 9pm). Instructors are also available on occasional Monday evenings and Saturdays.
• Please call 233-7123 or email snap@seattle.gov for availability.
• Presentation requirements:
  • Minimum number of people: 20
  • Two weeks advance notice
• Interpreters may be provided at the meeting if the City receives a request five working days prior to the event.

Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)
In times of crisis, normal communications may not be operational. To help, Seattle utilitizes a team of volunteer radio operators, the Auxiliary Communciations services. The team can be deployed to field locations were we are experiencing communications problems. Other members report to a communications hub in the City's Emergency Operations Center. ACS provides a valuable service to City decision makers by providing them with information they would not otherwise have. To find out more, visit the Seattle ACS website or follow the link above.