Crisis and Collaboration: Responding to the 2020 Early Warning Siren Incident at South Fork Tolt Dam

In 2020, an unintended activation of the Early Warning Siren System at the South Fork Tolt Dam triggered widespread alarm among the residents of Carnation, Washington. Following the ensuing panic, residents were informed of the false alarm. This incident prompted a comprehensive plan to overhaul the siren system and enhance various aspects of emergency preparedness in the region. In this presentation, we will briefly discuss the false alarm, shedding light on the response procedures implemented by both Seattle Public Utilities and the King County Office of Emergency Management. Additionally, we will provide insights into the newly implemented notification process updates, the ongoing efforts in maintaining Emergency Action Plans, the significance of regular drills, outreach initiatives, and other collaborative endeavors between the King County Office of Emergency Management and Seattle Public Utilities.

About the Presenter

Edan Edmonson has had a non-traditional path into Emergency Management starting his professional career first in Birmingham, Alabama as a Law Enforcement Officer. While in this role, he had the opportunity to work on the planning section of a major event the city and was recommended by his Assistant Chief to serve in the emergency management unit for the police department. While in this role Edan was able to immerse himself into Emergency Management including implementing a department wide adoption of ICS and NIMS principles into the Law Enforcement workflow, hazard planning and mitigation for large-scale events, and worked with his local EMA, community, State and Federal partners in many different capacities, most recently the planning section for a large-scale, Olympic Style event poised to come to the city. Edan was also the youngest person in the department promoted to the rank of Corporal for his efforts in Emergency Management. Edan has had the opportunity to live all over the eastern United States and is excited to be joining the King County Office of Emergency Management and the PNW.

When not working Edan dabbles in portrait and fashion photography, traveling and is finishing his Political Science and Sociology Degree from Colorado State.