Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system on Oct. 16

King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 16 between 9 and 10 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness. Employees will receive test messages from KCInform via phone, text, and email. KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable)… Read More

Emergency preparedness: Stay informed and get involved  

September is National Preparedness Month and King County wants to help you, your family, and community prepare for emergencies, and stay safe if one occurs. Making a plan and building a kit are key elements in emergency preparedness along with: Stay Informed: Know who to turn to for updates, alerts, and warnings during an emergency Get Involved: Talk to your neighbors about sharing resources during an emergency  Whether you’re at home or at work trying to provide essential King County services during an emergency, staying informed and getting involved is critical. They can make a difference in how well and how… Read More

Emergency Kits: Why they’re important

September is National Preparedness Month and King County wants to help you, your family, and community prepare for emergencies, and stay safe if one occurs.  To prepare for an emergency, use the Get Ready King County fillable workbook to create a plan. This step-by-step workbook guides you through the resources and items you need. Your plan should include emergency kits for your home, vehicle, and workplace. They should include two weeks’ worth of supplies. Read more.

Preparing for emergencies in National Preparedness Month  

September is National Preparedness Month and King County wants to help you stay safe – and keep your family and community safe – in the event of an emergency.    The best time to prepare for a natural disaster or emergency is before it happens. Here are some steps you can take to be more prepared:    Make a plan workbook: Use the Get Ready King County fillable workbook to start (or continue) your preparedness journey. The step-by-step workbook guides you through the resources and items you need to be ready for an emergency. Personal and family… Read More

New intranet homepage for employee safety, security, and emergency preparedness resources 

September is National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign to remind people that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families, and their communities safe. As part of this year’s King County Preparedness Month employee campaign, King County has launched a new tool for employees. It’s a new intranet homepage or one-stop-shop for King County employees to find all links to campus safety and security, safety at work, and emergency management webpages on kingcounty.gov and the intranet. The goal of the new homepage is to help King County employees to find… Read More

Firefighters train for real emergencies with rope rescue drill at South Plant

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories No need for alarm. This is only a drill!  On a recent morning at our South Treatment Plant in Renton, about 30 firefighters and instructors, outfitted with helmets and harnesses, gathered around a service hatch in the Raw Sewage Pump Building to assess a developing situation. What they encountered was the scene of a high-stakes rescue operation. Their air monitors showed that below the first level, the air was unsafe to breathe, and two individuals were unconscious and in need of rescue.  The team quickly got to… Read More

Fire Marshal issues Stage 1 Burn Ban, restricting yard debris fires and fires set to clear land in unincorporated areas

Crossposted from King County Local  With the dry season fast approaching, King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the unincorporated areas of King County. This ban, which prohibits yard debris fires and fires set to clear land, takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m., June 30. The ban is being issued in conjunction with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and King County Fire Marshals Association. It does not apply to recreational fires or gas/propane appliances, including grills, pellet smokers, or charcoal grills. Expected periods of higher… Read More

July 4 closures and notices 

We wish all of our employees, their families, and the King County community a safe and wonderful Fourth of July. A few closures and notices will be in effect for the holiday: King County government offices will be closed to observe Independence Day on Friday, July 4. All offices will be back on schedule Monday, July 7.  On July 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules with extra late-night services. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.

Continuing cold temperatures, snow, and icy conditions

Cold temperatures, snow, and freezing conditions are set to continue in our region tonight and into tomorrow. Please be prepared for icy, slippery conditions, possible commute delays, and impacts to business operations. If you work on site, please be prepared for snow and icy conditions. Accumulated snow and ice may create hazardous conditions, so exercise caution and take extra precautions as needed. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra… Read More

Be prepared for cold temperatures, snow, and icy conditions

Extremely cold temperatures, snow, and possible freezing rain are forecast for our region this weekend and into next week. Please be prepared for slippery conditions, possible commute delays, and impacts to business operations. If you work on site, please be prepared for snow and icy conditions. Accumulated snow may create hazardous conditions, so exercise caution and take extra precautions as needed. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing,… Read More