We are SEAW’s committee that promotes and shares ideas and activities about preparedness for and response to disasters. We have:

• Participated in post-earthquake reconnaissance trips to Chile (2010), Kobe, Japan (2011), and Nepal (2015).

• Sponsored volunteers to go to Turkey and assist with relief efforts following the February 2023 earthquakes there.

• Helped pass immunity-from-liability legislation to protect organizations, like SEAW, who train and coordinate volunteer emergency workers (2017).

• Participated in agency exercises to practice post-earthquake response.

We are SEAW’s committee that is collaborating with other organizations on WAsafe, Washington State’s post-disaster response program for volunteer engineers, architects, building inspectors and plans examiners. We organize and teach WAsafe classes, which cover how to perform visual building safety assessments following an earthquake or other disaster (ATC-20, ATC-45), and how volunteers fit into and are deployed as emergency workers in Washington State. Qualified engineers, architects, building inspectors, and plans examiners who complete the WAsafe Building Safety Evaluations (ATC 20/45 Plus) class can join the WAsafe registry, which will be used to communicate with and dispatch volunteers following a disaster. Visit the WAsafe website for more information and training options.

How to Get Involved

We welcome new committee members – the only pre-qualifications are a willingness to learn about emergency response, how we as engineers can be involved, and a desire to help our communities following an earthquake or other disaster.

The Committee meets on the third Tuesdays of every month, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. At this time, meetings are virtual.

ATC 20/45 Training

SEAW's Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee conducts periodic WAsafe classes. WAsafe is Washington State’s program for post-disaster building safety assessments by volunteering engineers, architects, building inspectors, and other professionals. The program is based on internationally recognized standards ATC-20 (Post-Earthquake Evaluation of Buildings) and ATC-45 (Safety Evaluation of Buildings after Windstorms and Floods).