PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.       6i 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting    December 9, 2014 
DATE:    November 17, 2014 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Russ Read, Seaport Security Manager 
SUBJECT:  Washington Public Port District Omnibus Mutual Aid Interlocal Agreement 

ACTION REQUESTED 
Request authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to execute an Omnibus Mutual Aid
Interlocal Agreement with Washington Public Ports Districts to enable members to provide
assistance to each other in preparation for and during emergencies. 
SYNOPSIS 
Washington State Law encourages public and private agencies to develop mutual aid agreements
facilitating emergency management aid and assistance in the event of disasters and emergencies.
There are however few agreements between Port Districts within the state. 
The proposed interlocal agreement is the result of several years of collective efforts. This
agreement is voluntary and available for execution by all Washington State Port Districts and
forms one collective agreement (attached) by those that enjoin. The Washington Public Ports
Association WPPA has agreed to be the "Lead Coordinating Agency" identified in the
agreement. 
BACKGROUND 
The Port of Seattle Seaport currently has active participation in regional disaster and emergency
planning with other Washington State Port Districts, the City of Seattle Office of Emergency
Management, King County Department of Emergency Management, Washington State
Emergency Management Division, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and many other federal, state and
local emergency planning and response organizations. 
Currently the Port of Seattle does not have a methodology to lend or accept mutual aid and
assistance from other Washington State Public Ports for planning for or responding to a
catastrophic event or disaster. This Agreement provides the methodology by which the Port of
Seattle can both receive and provide aid to other Washington State Public Ports on a voluntary
basis. This Agreement does not apply to the Airport as it is covered by a separate mutual aid
agreement. 

Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
November 17, 2014 
Page 2 of 4 

It's Voluntary 
The Mutual Aid Agreement does not obligate the Port of Seattle to provide assistance to any
other agency, as both participation and the extent of participation are voluntary. However, the
agreement does define how aid is provided, details reimbursement compensation obligations for
assistance as well as details on indemnifications for all participatory parties. 
Implications to the Airport 
This agreement does not cover airports, as the Port of Seattle and other West Coast Airports are
signatory to the "Western Airport Disaster Operations Group (WESTDOG) Airports Mutual Aid
Plan." As such this Mutual Aid Agreement does not apply to the Airport, and thus airport assets
and revenue diversion are not germane nor encumbrances to this proposed agreement. This
agreement does however align Washington State Ports together in a similar manner as the
Airport WESTDOG agreement. 
Other Port Districts 
The proposed agreement has been agreed to by the ports as listed below. 
Bellingham                       Klickitat Olympia 
Camas-Washougal                 Port Townsend 
Chehalis                          Royal Slope 
Chelan                          Skagit 
Ilwaco 
In addition, I understand that the Port of Tacoma staff will bring this agreement before their
Commission at their December 4 meeting. We expect them to sign-off at that point. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
There are no financial implications from executing this agreement unless the Port of Seattle is
called upon to support another Port District in a case of emergency. Unless otherwise mutually
agreed upon, the first eight-hours of the mutual aid are provided at no cost to the receiving port 
(thus the responsibility will lie with the lending agency). The eight hour period begins when the
lending agency begins to mobilize the assets. Thereafter, expenditures are based upon actual 
costs or current equipment rate. The receiving port is responsible for costs following the initial
eight hours timeframe. 
Borrower shall pay the Lender for all customary, usual, commercially reasonable and invoiced
assistance costs within 60 days of the receipt of the Lender's invoice. In the event the Lender
provides equipment, supplies or parts, the Lender shall have the option to accept payment of inkind
for the equipment used.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
November 17, 2014 
Page 3 of 4 
STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES 
The Agreement will foster additional planning with participating Washington State Port Districts
to be better prepared to assist each other in times of need. The Agreement outlines the strategies
to accomplish interagency planning, mutual aid and assistance in a proactive manner prior to
unforeseen events. 
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE 
Economic Development 
The Agreement supports resiliency (in the event of a disruptive incident) of the Port of Seattle
and other signatory Washington State Port Districts in preparation for and response to
emergencies and disasters in cooperatively enhancing the economic recovery of the region. 
Environmental Responsibility 
The Agreement supports environmental stewardship by improving cooperative planning and
response to emergencies and disasters that may otherwise not be remediated in a timely or
effective manner without the ability of Washington State Port Districts to promptly aid one
another during the critical emergent phase of an emergency or disaster. The Agreement provides
a means for protection, preservation and remediation of environmental impacts from an
emergency or disaster through mutual aid. 
Community Benefits 
The Agreement supports the Port of Seattle community as well as the maritime industry
throughout Washington State by providing a means for more effective emergency and disaster
planning and response, thereby stewarding jobs, facilitating the smooth flow of commerce
through the region and supporting greater regional resilience that could not otherwise be
achieved without the Agreement. Further, as the largest member of WPPA, the Port signing onto
this agreement underlines our role as an industry leader. 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1)  Do not enjoin the Washington Public Port District Omnibus Mutual Aid
Interlocal Agreement. This option limits access and the ability to provide mutual aid to other 
Public Port Districts. This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2)  Enjoin the Washington Public Port District Omnibus Mutual Aid Interlocal
Agreement. This establishes a methodology to provide and receive mutual aid through an
agreement that has been fully vetted and agreed upon prior to the event of an incident. This is
the recommended alternative.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
November 17, 2014 
Page 4 of 4 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
Washington Public Port District Omnibus Mutual Aid Interlocal Agreement 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None