SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has signed an executive order establishing a framework to strengthen the city’s emergency management system and overall disaster readiness for large-scale events.
The executive order addresses planning, training, and coordinating personnel and resources across municipal emergency response operations.
Under the new directive, city departments are working to streamline interagency messaging and emergency readiness. Seattle Police Department Deputy Chief Yvonne Underwood stated that law enforcement will collaborate directly with other emergency management branches to prepare personnel.
“Our public affairs unit will be leading this effort and work alongside our partners at Seattle Fire, OEM and CARE to ensure we have the training needed to send out timely information to the public,” Underwood said.
Despite establishing general disaster guidelines, the latest executive order does not explicitly mention mass shootings or large-casualty events like the Bite of Seattle shooting.
An Inspector General is currently investigating the communication failures following the incident, while Wilson took personal responsibility for part of the post-incident timeline.
“I own, and my office owns, that final delay between 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. when the press conference ultimately took place,” Wilson said.
Wilson acknowledged that available communication protocols were not properly utilized during the shooting. “We realize that tool should’ve been used on the night of the Bite of Seattle shooting, and a part of this is making sure that every department understands how to use it, when to use it, when it’s appropriate,” Wilson said. “So those are the kind of changes you’re going to see.”
Addressing public frustration surrounding the delayed response, Wilson emphasized the city’s focus on improving transparency during future incidents. “This is really about the public deserving clear, consistent communication in case of emergencies, and we are committed to that moving forward,” Wilson said.