Report points to critical fixes

It was not intended as a tribute to the 43 people who lost their lives in the Oso landslide, but the SR 530 Landslide Commission’s report to Gov. Jay Inslee and Snohomish County Executive John Lovick surely honors the lives lost as well as those who responded to the disaster that struck on March 22.

The report of more than 50 pages, released Monday, clearly states the lessons learned during the response that followed in the hours, days and weeks after the slide, making 17 recommendations that will require action by the governor, the Legislature, state and county officials and other agencies and groups.

The panel urged swift action on three “critical first steps”:

A statewide landslide hazard and risk mapping program, including the use of “lidar” (light detection and ranging) mapping of areas posing the greatest threat to lives and property;

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Creation of a task force to study and make recommendations by December 2016 on the integration of and sustainable funding for the state’s Emergency Management System; and

Clarification of the state’s fire service mobilization law to ensure that frontline responders can mobilize “all-hazards” incident management overseen by the Washington State Patrol.

The last may be among the most pressing needs.

The day after the slide struck, the report says, Oso Fire Department Chief Willy Harper requested technical rescue support from a state Incident Management Team through the Northwest Regional coordinator for the Washington state Fire Defense Board. The Incident Management Teams, most often used during large wildfires, provide for mobilization of statewide resources and coordination of efforts.

But the WSP, on advice of its legal counsel that such a mobilization could leave the agency open to financial responsibility for the response because its help wasn’t being sought to fight a wildfire, denied the request. The decision delayed the arrival of technical rescue teams and additional equipment for the first responders on the scene.

Imagine being told not to pull a fire alarm during an earthquake.

The problem is an apparent lack of clarity in state law. In 1995, the Legislature adopted language in the law that broadened the availability of the teams beyond wildfire response to “an emergency and disaster situation that has exceeded the capabilities of available local resources.” While that language seems pretty clear — “And the Commission believes the Legislature spoke quite clearly to the issue in 1995,” it said — the report recommends that the Legislature remove all doubt and clarify the language to make it obvious that such teams can be mobilized for all disasters.

State Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, whose district includes the Stillaguamish Valley communities of Arlington, Oso and Darrington, told The Herald he will sponsor such a bill when the Legislature convenes in January.

Attention to these and the report’s 14 other recommendations, will honor the memory of those who died and those who responded to the landslide by better preparing us for any disaster that strikes in the state.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, June 8

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer testifies during a budget hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Al Drago/The New York Times)
Editorial: Ending Job Corps a short-sighted move by White House

If it’s jobs the Trump administration hopes to bring back to the U.S., it will need workers to fill them.

FILE — A Ukrainian drone pilot in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine on April 24, 2025. Assaults in Russia and Ukraine have shown major military powers that they are unprepared for evolving forms of warfare, and need to adapt. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times)
Comment: How Ukraine’s drone strike upends the rules of warfare

Inexpensive drones reached deep into Russia to destroy aircraft that were used against Ukraine.

When will Congress stand up to Trump?

Waste, fraud, and abuse? Look no further than the White House. Donald… Continue reading

Keep power on in extreme heat to save lives

Summer is almost here, and with it will come deadly heat waves… Continue reading

Hazen’s commentary was a needed message of hope

A recent Herald Forum commentary by Dan Hazen, was absolutely refreshing (“Holding… Continue reading

Full Life Care employee will miss friendships with staff, clients

I have worked at Full Life Care in Everett for 17 years… Continue reading

Turn to county health department for accurate information

Thank you for sharing “Five sources of accurate health information” in your… Continue reading

A rendering of possible configuration for a new multi-purpose stadium in downtown Everett. (DLR Group)
Editorial: Latest ballpark figures drive hope for new stadium

A lower estimate for the project should help persuade city officials to move ahead with plans.

A rendering of the new vessels to be built for Washington State Ferries. (Washington State Ferries)
Editorial: Local shipyard should get shot to build state ferries

If allowed to build at least two ferries, Nichols Brothers can show the value building here offers.

Solar panels are visible along the rooftop of the Crisp family home on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: ‘Big, beautiful bill’ would take from our climate, too

Along with cuts to the social safety net, the bill robs investments in the clean energy economy.

Comment: We can’t manage what we refuse to measure

The Trump administration’s war against climate science will compound the devastation from disasters.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.