Q&A: Emergency Operations Center activated for Seattle’s homelessness

In Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s State of the City address on Tuesday, he said he would activate the Emergency Operations Center to respond to the city’s homeless crisis.

Usually thought of as a coordination center activated for major weather events or earthquake response, a city spokesperson issued an explanation as to how the center will be specifically used to address the homeless issue, which the mayor declared a state of emergency in Nov. 2015.

When was the Emergency Operations Center activated for responding to homelessness?

The EOC activated Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. Using the EOC model, the City will tap into all its resources to align our efforts around the current principles of Pathways Home, and to foster more innovative solutions to the homelessness crisis.

How long will the City be using the EOC?

The City will begin by utilizing the EOC daily, Monday-Friday, for check-ins with all representatives, followed by on the ground work to help people living on our streets. The initial projection is the City will utilize the EOC for this focused coordination effort for approximately 16 weeks, though we will regularly reassess.

How many people are working in the EOC, representing what departments/agencies?

On day one there were approximately 60-70 people in the room (see photos). Virtually every City department had at least one staff, while departments that are already heavily involved in homelessness response had multiple. Additionally, representatives from partner agencies such as WSDOT and Reach (contracted outreach) were on hand. As we move along, we anticipate the people in the room and the agencies they represent will ebb and flow, depending on the particular daily or weekly tasks. Core players such as the Human Services Department, Seattle Public Utilities, Finance and Administrative Services, Seattle Police Department, Seattle Department of Transportation, the Mayor’s Office, Reach and other service providers will likely have a constant presence.

Are people coming from other non-essential jobs/duties to help with this new mission?

For the most part, many people in the room are already working on these issues. We’re simply bringing them together to utilize the coordination, communications and tracking tools of the EOC, and applying it to the work we are doing to address the critical needs of people living outside.

What is the cost?

City departments will utilize existing resources for this effort. It is not anticipated that new funds will be required for this coordination.

During the next few days, what will be the focus for those working in the EOC?

This week we are focused on planning our efforts for the coming weeks, establishing our high-level missions, identifying resources needed, making sure the right people are in the room to carry out those efforts. Next week and thereafter, we will have a weekly action plan that includes tasks, goals, resources needed, mechanisms for tracking progress, etc.

Will people living outside be provided a place to go in the next few days?

As they have since last summer, our outreach teams provide offers of alternative shelter to every person they engage with. These efforts are being ramped up with the roll-out of the Navigation Team, a specially trained group of outreach workers and Seattle Police officers. Navigation Team members will go into unauthorized encampments throughout the city to help identify and implement individual solutions that break down barriers preventing unsheltered people from moving indoors.

Has the EOC ever dealt with something on this scale?

While employing the EOC for the homelessness crisis is unconventional, aiding those living on our streets requires the kind of coordinated, citywide effort the EOC is designed to facilitate.

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