Why This Measure Matters​

The County Emergency Preparedness Assessment (CEPA) shows how prepared we are to respond to emergencies. It uses a nationally recognized standard applied by emergency management agencies across the country—helping ensure faster response, better coordination, and reduced impacts to our community when disasters occur.

A score of 3 indicates moderate capability. We have this capability in place and can perform it, but not yet consistently across all situations, jurisdictions, or phases (planning, training, equipment, response, and recovery). Continued investment and coordination are needed to make it reliable and scalable.

CEPA evaluates 32 capabilities across Planning, Operations, Equipment, Training, and Exercises. Strong performance across these areas means we:

• Prioritize resources effectively by identifying strengths and gaps
• Demonstrate whole-community readiness across agencies and partners
• Track measurable progress over time to improve performance and accountability
• Meet state and federal grant requirements tied to preparedness standards
• Strengthen real-world response by aligning all elements needed for effective emergency operations

What’s the Story?​

Skagit County is working to identify areas in operations where we can evolve and improve the overall POETE score for the county.

Target

100%

Reporting Frequency​

Annually