When there is a large-scale emergency, like a flood, active shooter or earthquake, FEMA recommends that communities form a single unified command structure so that federal, state, tribal, local and private sector personnel can work together efficiently to tackle all issues related to the emergency. Whatcom Unified Command is Whatcom County’s local response to the challenges we face with COVID-19.
Whatcom Unified Command is comprised of every local jurisdiction in Whatcom County. Additionally, we are in collaboration with our non-governmental partners such as county food banks, businesses, and other service providers to maintain continuity of services.
A Policy Group made up of the County Executive, Mayors, County Councilmembers, Sheriff, Tribal leaders, and key elected officials from Whatcom County provides recommendations to the Unified Command. This group ensures that we have a consolidated, focused and direct interface between the citizens of Whatcom County and Unified Command.
This new global disease outbreak is beyond the scope of any single department to mitigate, and we must all come together to protect our community from this dynamic threat. The Unified Command structure allows these entities to pool resources to meet community needs.