top of page
Supreme Court Building

Agency & Government Partners

At a Glance

KBT-ESF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner organization operating across the Pacific Northwest. We support government agencies, emergency management offices, and first responder organizations with disaster reconnaissance, welfare checks, and lay-responder stabilization. This page is your resource for credential verification and coordination planning.

  • Coverage Area: Pacific Northwest, with active operations in Washington State

  • Founded: 2025 | 501(c)(3) Status Granted: 2026

  • Agency Contact: support@kbt-esf.org | (360) 937-4921

  • EIN: 41-3071623

  • Insurance Status: Insured

  • Legal Status: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit​

Our Coordination Model​

 

KBT-ESF is a community-based emergency support organization. We do not provide EMS, law enforcement, or Search and Rescue services. Our role is to support the broader emergency response ecosystem by:

 

  • ​Providing real-time hazard and incident mapping for Western Washington communities

  • Coordinating community welfare checks and information sharing during emergencies

  • Distributing water, food, and emergency supplies directly to residents in affected areas

  • Deploying community resource station with essential supplies during emergencies, disasters, and inclement weather events

  • Documenting and disseminating public safety information to affected residents

  • Connecting displaced or vulnerable community members with official resources

  • Supporting situational awareness for families and community members when official channels are overwhelmed​

  • Assist families in any other disaster situations to the best of our abilities

 

We operate alongside and in support of official emergency management agencies. We do not direct or replace professional emergency response personnel.​​

​

How  We Deploy

​

KBT-ESF is an independent nonprofit organization. Our deployment decisions are made internally by our leadership team based on community need, volunteer availability, and operational safety. We are not a subordinate unit of any government or partner agency.

​

We exist to support and strengthen the broader emergency response ecosystem, not to replace or duplicate the services that agencies and first responders provide. Our role fills gaps, extends community reach, and handles the support work that allows professional responders to focus on what they do best.

​

We genuinely value coordination and make every effort to communicate with local agencies when operating in shared areas. Where joint coordination exists, we work to complement and support active operations. We are always willing to talk through how we can work well together.

​

For agencies and organizations interested in formal coordination, KBT-ESF can provide relevant Standard Operating Procedures upon request. These documents outline our deployment criteria, operational protocols, and volunteer conduct standards.

​

To connect with KBT-ESF regarding an active incident or planned operation, contact us at support@kbt-esf.org or (360) 937-4921.

What Partnership Looks Like​

 

KBT-ESF approaches every partnership as a support relationship. We work alongside agencies and organizations, not around them. We don't seek operational authority, command roles, or liability transfers. What we bring is coordination capacity, community-level reach, and a true commitment to making your mission easier, not harder.

​

We are a small organization. We are honest about that. What we lack in size we make up for in flexibility, local knowledge, and willingness to do the work that helps communities stay informed, connected, and supported when things go wrong.

What we bring to the table:

​

  • Real-time field reporting and hazard documentation during active incidents

  • Welfare check coordination for rural and isolated residents who may not reach official services

  • Supply and resource distribution support during emergencies and recovery operations

  • Supplemental coordination support during large-scale incidents, at the direction of lead agencies

  • Missing-persons information support for families awaiting official response

  • Damage documentation and recovery assistance for affected residents

  • A direct community communication channel, we can get information to residents quickly and clearly

  • Boots on the ground in areas where agency resources can be stretched thin

​

What we ask of partners:

​

  • A designated point of contact for coordination during activations or planned events

  • Clear communication of operational boundaries and any restrictions relevant to joint activity

  • Notification as early as practical if KBT-ESF activity would conflict with an active or planned agency operation

  • Willingness to share non-restricted public safety information that would benefit affected residents

  • Honest feedback if our operations fall short or create unintended friction, we want to improve to best help our communities 

​

What we don't ask for:

​

  • Command or supervisory authority over any agency personnel or operations

  • Funding or resource commitments beyond any agreed scope

  • Legal liability beyond what is covered by our organization's insurance

​

How you can support us:

​​

Every contribution to KBT-ESF, whether cash, supplies, or time, goes directly toward serving the communities. Donated supplies are distributed to community members during activations and recovery operations. Financial contributions fund equipment, training, and operational capacity. Nothing sits unused. If your organization has capacity to contribute in any of the following ways, we would appreciate your consideration:

​

Surplus or donated supplies

  • PPE, masks, water, hygiene items, or emergency basics we can distribute during activations

 

Resources or equipment

  • Equipment, tools, or facility access that supports our field operations or community distribution activities

 

Expertise and guidance

  • If you have institutional knowledge, training resources, or professional advice that could help us operate better

 

Referrals and introductions

  • Connecting us with other agencies, community organizations, or resources that strengthen the broader emergency support network

​

We believe that strong communities are built through collaboration. If you see an opportunity to work together, even informally, please reach out.

​

​

If you have supplies to donate, want to discuss a partnership, or just want to learn more about what we do, the next step is simple. Email us at support@kbt-esf.org or call (360) 937-4921.

Documented Procedures and Volunteer Standards

​

KBT-ESF maintains documented operational procedures for all community support activities. Our procedures are designed to complement existing Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks and avoid conflict with official emergency operations.​ Field volunteers are held to a defined baseline standard before active deployment (see requirements below).​​​

​

Following significant activations, KBT-ESF completes internal after-action documentation. Summaries are available to partnering agencies upon request.

Required prior to or within 180 days of field deployment:

​

  • CPR and First Aid (current card, any accredited provider)

  • Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Awareness

  • FEMA IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command

  • FEMA IS-700: NIMS — An Introduction

Strongly Recommended Within 180 Days

​

  • FEMA IS-200: ICS for Single Resources

  • FEMA IS-800: National Response Framework

  • Stop the Bleed (basic)

  • SKYWARN Severe Weather Spotter

Encouraged for Field Volunteers

  • ​​HAM Radio Technician License

  • PPE Awareness Training

  • CERT — Community Emergency Response Team

  • FAA Part 107 (UAS/Drone Operations)

  • Incident Safety Officer​

  • Basic Life Support (coordination support only - not clinical)

  • Hazmat Awareness

  • Responding Effectively Training Tools (Family & Law Enforcement Communication)

  • Weather Radar Fundamentals

Safety Designation (Blue Vest) - Advanced Lay Responder / Site Safety Officer

​

Volunteers designated as KBT-ESF Safety hold advanced certifications and serve as the designated site safety officer and advanced lay responder on deployments. They operate within lay responder scope until EMS arrives, they are not medical providers.

​

Volunteers with a background in law enforcement, fire service (career or certified volunteer), incident safety, or medical services (EMT, paramedic, physician, nurse, or equivalent) auto-qualify with current CPR/First Aid. All others must hold:

​

  • CPR/First Aid (current)

  • Advanced First Aid

  • Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

  • All required FEMA courses listed above

  • Stop the Bleed

  • Onsite safety awareness orientation

Field Identification - Volunteer Vest Color System​

​

KBT-ESF volunteers are identifiable in the field by a standardized vest color system. Each color communicates role, authority level, and capability at a glance. This system is designed to integrate cleanly into multi-agency environments. 

​

If you encounter KBT-ESF volunteers in the field and need to reach leadership, look for a yellow or red vest. All media inquiries on scene are handled exclusively by red vest Command or the Executive Director.

Vest Color
Label
Field Role

Red

KBT-ESF Command

KBT-ESF-designated Command. Oversees multiple active sites, roving between as needed. Primary agency and media contact.

Yellow

KBT-ESF Lead

Operations Section Chief. Directs site volunteers and serves as on-site escalation authority.

Blue

KBT-ESF Safety

Site Safety Officer. Monitors hazards and provides lay responder stabilization until EMS arrives.

Green

KBT-ESF Volunteer

General field volunteer. Cleared for all mission types.

Orange

KBT-ESF

Probationary volunteer. Accompanied by a cleared volunteer at all times.

Verification Documents​​​

 

​​​

​​

 

For agency coordination inquiries, MOU requests, or to discuss active operations, contact Executive Director Breck Williams directly at bwilliams@kbt-esf.org or Call us at (360) 937-4921.

bottom of page