Supervisor Spotlight: Highlighting those behind the scenes who keep us moving
Crossposted from Metro Matters
It takes a lot of people to keep a transit system running smoothly across 150 routes and over 300,000 boardings a day.
Bus drivers are the most visible part of any transit system, but there are people behind the scenes who are just as vital in the day-to-day operation of King County Metro.
Their responsibilities range from training operators, planning the routes that run throughout the region, and literally being “traffic controllers” keeping track of the buses on their daily runs. Read more.
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Emergency Management goes to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Crossposted from the DES Express
Last month, two staff members from King County Emergency Management had the unique opportunity to join the University of Oregon incident management team which was supporting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track and field. Nathan Emory and Edan Edmonson, both Emergency Management Program Coordinators, spent three days observing and lending a hand to the emergency management team.
The experience gave KCOEM staff the opportunity to see how the University of Oregon’s emergency management team connected with local first responders, facilitating a coordinated and effective response to potential incidents. They also got to observe the integration of emergency management within the university system.
With the World Cup coming to the Seattle area in 2026, as well as other large events between now and then, the Olympic trials in Oregon highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in managing large-scale events.
Pictured: Nathan Emory, left, and Edan Edmonson, both Emergency Management Program Coordinators, at the University of Oregon for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
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King County awarded $50 million EPA grant to cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings
Today King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a $50 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to lower greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and construction throughout the region.
King County will partner with local governments to help multifamily and community buildings across four counties — King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish — transition to clean energy. The funding will also be used to reduce emissions in new building construction and create systems to reuse wood when a building is deconstructed to avoid emissions.
“We’re leading on climate action by cutting emissions, creating resilient frontline communities, and preparing for the impacts of climate change. Thanks to this funding from the EPA, King County will be able to work with local governments throughout the region to reduce climate pollution,” said Executive Constantine. Read more.
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Employee discounts: Washington State Fair and Benaroya Hall presents
Washington State Fair: Employees can save on tickets to the 2024 Washington State Fair, Aug. 30 – Sept 22. To purchase your discount tickets:
- Visit thefair.com/corporate
- Click the “Buy Tickets” button
- Enter access password: king24
- Under “Corporate Perks – 2024” click “Buy Tickets” for Admission & Ride deals.
Benaroya Hall presents: esperanza spalding, Sunday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Emphasizing simplicity and intimacy of her voice, bass, and songs, in this special configuration of two musicians and two dancers, esperanza performs songs from all eight of her previous albums, songs from current releases, plus a special preview of her forthcoming project. To purchase tickets:
- Buy tickets here
- Enter promo code JAZZ before selecting your seats to secure $35 Orchestra Level tickets
- Limit four tickets per household.
See all available King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Sheriff’s Communications Team brings awareness to Vehicle Theft Prevention Month
Cross-posted from the KCSO Newsletter
As July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) communications team thought this would be a great time to teach the community how to keep their vehicles – and everything inside – safe from would-be thieves.
The team invited the media for something of a ‘show-and-tell’ where Sergeant Eric White (pictured above) provided great tips and tricks for protecting property.
Three of the four local TV stations covered the event, resulting in some great stories and ‘news you can use’ for their viewers. You can watch KING 5’s piece here.
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King County study of Lake Washington sediment shows decline in once-common dangerous chemicals, offering a roadmap to address newer health risks
A King County study of Lake Washington’s lakebed sediment shows levels of PCBs, the once common and dangerous chemical are expected to fall below currently detectable levels within the next two decades. Researchers say the findings reaffirm the effectiveness of regulations and personal actions and offer a strategy for addressing emerging environmental threats, including stormwater pollution.
The pilot study, including lakebed coring conducted by scientists aboard the King County research vessel SoundGuardian, also showed how the techniques for collecting and analyzing samples could be used in other research projects to detect human-caused changes in environmental conditions.
“The research conducted by our scientists on the sediment layers beneath Lake Washington sends an unmistakable message: The best way to protect people, fish, and wildlife from harmful chemicals is to stop their production and use,” said Executive Constantine. Read more.
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Discounts available for Seahawks and Huskies
King County employees can now purchase discounted tickets for several upcoming football games for the Seattle Seahawks and University of Washington Huskies.
For the Seattle Seahawks, tickets are available for four home games on Aug. 24, Nov. 3 and 24, and Dec. 22. Ticket prices start at $35, plus a $3 handling fee. Use promo code KING24. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
For the UW Huskies, tickets are available for three home games on Aug. 31, Sept. 21, and Nov. 15. Ticket prices start at $18. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Black Women’s Experience Project examines equity at King County
Crossposted from the DES Express
The Black/African Women’s Affinity Group, co-chaired by DES’s own Miesha Vaughn, Tort Claims Investigator in Risk Management, and by Ebony Frazier, EIB Manager in the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), recently released a report with the Wright Resource Group, “An examination of the experiences of Black women employees at King County.”
From the Executive Summary:
“The purpose of the project is to understand the current state of Black Women employed at King County and to provide recommendations to address possible inequities and promote a healthy workplace culture that supports an intersectional demographic that is often not fully incorporated into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) or Equity and Social Justice Initiatives. Read more.
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Maple Valley Bike Rodeo teaches kids about safety
On the beautiful morning of Saturday, June 22, the Maple Valley Police Bicycle Rodeo at Lake Wilderness Park provided an excellent opportunity for new bicycle riders to hone their skills. Children ages 10 and under were able to practice essential cycling skills, such as navigating around distracted pedestrians in crosswalks and maneuvering around “boulders,” painted foam pieces on the road.
Sixty-two kids took turns overcoming these obstacles under the guidance of Officer Baldwin and Master Police Officer Olmsted, along with the assistance of the Maple Valley Explorers, a volunteer program for young adults to participate in community events and police training. This year, the event was joined by Bicycle Rescue for Youth, a nonprofit organization which set up bike stations and ensured that the participants’ brakes and tire pressure were in top condition before they took on the course. Along with great memories, each child received a certificate, safety reflectors, and other cool giveaways at the conclusion of the event.
Maple Valley Police contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) to develop this annual event, as the officers who lead it are KCSO deputies. View photos and more information at https://www.facebook.com/MapleValleyPolice.
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FMD Security Officer Brian Pollack saves man from overdose
Crossposted from the DES Express
Security Officer Brian Pollack from the Facilities Management Division (FMD) saved a life last month outside the Robert Clewis Center (RCC), a low-cost medical clinic in downtown Seattle. An RCC customer was overdosing outside the center, which was closed at the time. The man’s friends had tried to administer Narcan but weren’t successful. Pollack acted quickly due to training he recently received.
“I am grateful for the Opioid Reversal Training I received from Public Health, which proved invaluable during a critical incident,” said Pollack. “I’m thankful I could use my training to save the life of a valued community member. Inspired by this experience, I recently became an Opioid Reversal Training instructor for the King County FMD Security Unit. I look forward to teaching others this life-saving skill.” Read more.
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