About Us

History

Western Washington Medical Services Emergency Communications was formed in 1990, as a subsidiary of the King County ARES team. Following the Loma Prieta, CA. earthquake in 1989, a group of us realized how vulnerable hospitals were to loss of communications. Initially, our operations were only in King County. We were the ARES Medical Services Team at that time. 

In 1993, we were asked by the Section Emergency Coordinator to expand our scope to include all of Western Washington. Having no idea how we could accomplish that, we agreed to try to expand our services, one county at a time.

In 1997, we formalized our status by incorporating the team as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were created. At that time, we officially became the Western Washington Medical Services Emergency Communications. (WWMST for short).

How We Work

Washington State is divided into nine regions for Homeland Security purposes, and the WWMST has some level of participation or affiliation in six of those regions. The remaining three are in Eastern Washington. 

In Region 5 (Pierce Co.) and Region 6 (King Co.) we  have dedicated MST teams that work closely with the hospitals and other healthcare entities. In Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 (the rest of W. WA.) an MST Emergency Coordinator works in coordination with the resident ARES team in each county to conduct exercises, training, and work with the hospitals in those regions.

For more information, or membership interest, please contact us. ww7mst@ww7mst.org

Interactive Served Agency Map

Region 6:
Zone 1
 EAST KING COUNTY

Region 6:
Zone 3
 SOUTH KING COUNTY

Region 6:
Zone 5 - SEATTLE CITY
North of 520


Region 6:
Zone 5 -  SEATTLE CITY
South of 520

Region 5:
Pierce County



MST Repeater Locations

Who We Are

Team members are trained in NIMS (National Incident Management System), and HICS (Hospital Incident Coordination System). They also receive other training that prepares them for working in a healthcare setting. 

Team members must be registered as Washington State Emergency Workers, through a local sponsoring agency.