Council endorses volunteer airlift team (VIDART) to bolster island disaster response

A resolution supporting establishment of the Vashon Island disaster airlift response team (VIDART) was read into the record and adopted by the council on Jan. 15.

Prune O'Brien, who identified themself as a commissioner with the local airport district, described VIDART as "an organization of volunteer private pilots utilizing their personal aircraft to provide rapid and critical logistical support, including light cargo, ambulatory medical evacuation, damage assessment flights, and personnel transport to the island in the event of a major disaster." The proposal explained VIDART would operate as an auxiliary resource under the island’s incident command structure and would require emergency‑worker cards and coordination with King County Emergency Management.

Council members asked practical questions about aircraft availability, partner agreements with nearby airports (Port Angeles, Bremerton, Tacoma Narrows, Auburn, Boeing Field) and the need for background checks and state emergency‑worker cards. The presenter said about 44 airplanes were based at the local field and that a manual adapted from Port Angeles guides planned operations. After discussion the chair called a vote; the motion passed with a recorded tally of 29 in favor, 0 opposed.

The article reflects the motion as read to the council and documents the council’s formal adoption of the resolution; further implementation steps will depend on registration of volunteer pilots, King County Emergency Management coordination, and any facility agreements the group secures.