Motion Passed: Establish the Vashon Island Disaster Airlift Response Team (ViDART)

Last updated 1/16/2027

The Vashon Maury Community Council (VMCC) recognizes that the geographical nature of Vashon-Maury Island necessitates robust and diverse emergency preparedness strategies. The Council finds that:

1. Current maritime and ground infrastructure is highly vulnerable to catastrophic failure in the event of a major disaster (e.g., severe earthquake, tsunami, or prolonged major storm event).

2. Rapid establishment of a secure, viable air bridge is a critical priority for life-safety and essential logistics in the immediate aftermath of a severe, access-compromising event.

3. The proposed Vashon Island Disaster Airlift Response Team (ViDART), composed of volunteer private pilots and ground support personnel, offers a uniquely flexible and rapid means of establishing such an air bridge.

4. ViDART’s commitment to integration and operation solely under the established command of the Vashon Island Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) ensures proper coordination, de-confliction, and utilization of resources.

At the January 15, 2025 Vashon-Maury Community Council meeting, a motion was passed to support establishment of the Vashon Island Disaster Airlift Response Team (ViDART).

The text of the motion is available here:

2026-01 ViDART VMCC motion and resolution (final).docx.pdf

Download PDF • 90KB

Many thanks to Truman O'Brien, the volunteer pilots, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR), and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for working to keep islanders safe in the event of an emergency.

Photo source https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/airports-list/vashon-municipal

For questions or edits, please contact info@v-mcc.org.