Full Title Name:  Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

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Country of Origin:  United States Citation:  Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Last Checked:  March, 2023
Summary: The Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (CEMP) includes Emergency Support Function #6 and #11, which concerns service animals and pets. The plan also defines "animal," "household pet," and "service animal."
Documents:  PDF icon Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.pdf (9.24 MB)

Within the plan, there are several Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) that relate to animals. Below is a list of the ESFs and what topics they cover. A page number of where to find the ESF in the pdf of the Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (CEMP) is proivded. The plan is available at https://mil.wa.gov/plans.

ESF 6 — Mass care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, and Human Services

  • Mass care
  • Emergency assistance
  • Temporary sheltering and intermediate disaster housing
  • Human service
  • Service animals and pets
  • Limited English Proficiency (LEP) services

(page 32)

ESF 11 - Agriculture and Natural Resources

  • Nutrition assistance
  • Animal and plant disease and pest responses
  • Food safety and security
  • Natural and cultural resources and historic properties protection and restoration
  • Safety and well-being of household pets and service animals

(page 33)

Definitions:

ANIMAL – Animals include household pets, service and assistance animals, working dogs, livestock, wildlife, exotic animals, zoo animals, research animals, and animals housed in shelters, rescue organizations, breeding facilities, and sanctuaries. (National Preparedness Goal, September 2015)

(page 103)

HOUSEHOLD PET – A domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, rodent, or turtle that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes, can travel in commercial carriers, and be housed in temporary facilities. Household pets do not include reptiles (except turtles), amphibians, fish, insects/arachnids, farm animals (including horses), and animals kept for racing purposes. (Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, DAP 9523.19 FEMA)

(page 107)

SERVICE ANIMAL – Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Except as provided in subsection (2) of RCW 49.60.218 (miniature service horse), other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing nonviolent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks. (RCW 49.60.218)

(page 111)

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