King County first in the nation to order new hybrid fire truck

Crossposted from the DES Express

King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is the first airport in the nation to finalize the purchase of a hybrid electric fire engine. The Striker Volterra 6×6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle is made by Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The new rig will complement the airport’s existing diesel-powered firefighting vehicles, also made by Oshkosh, and will allow the airport to retire its oldest diesel fire truck. Read more.

Eight ducklings rescued from airport storm drain

Crossposted from the DES Express

Employees at King County International Airport-Boeing Field recently rescued eight ducklings who had fallen into a shallow storm drain, reuniting all of them safely with their mother.

Thanks to Ryan Johnston, Brian Kruml, and Jadyn Saporito for the rescue.

It all started with a phone call to Airport Operations from a corporate client that a mother duck and her ducklings were walking around near a storm drain on their ramp, according to Sam Priest, Airport Duty Manager. The tenant was worried that some ducklings may have fallen into the drain. Read more.

Recognizing 37 years of service of retiring DJA Director Barb Miner

Department of of Judicial Administration (DJA) Director Barb Miner is retiring after 37 years with King County. While her last official day is July 21, her last day in the office is Friday, July 14, which King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi and Chief Administrative Officer Linda Ridge have proclaimed "Barb Miner Day."

"Barb's commitment to excellence and quality have helped shape DJA into the high performing Clerk's Office it is today," they said.

View the official proclamation here and congratulations Barb! Thank you for your service.

ARFF attend live fire training in Montana

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff's Newsletter

The King County International Airport's Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Team recently completely rigorous live fire training. The training was held at the esteemed Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center in Helena, Montana.

During this intensive training program, the ARFF team demonstrated their excellent skills by fearlessly combating full-scale aircraft fires. Equipped with their specialized fire trucks, they showcased their proficiency in extinguishing these formidable blazes. However, their training didn't stop there. Read more.

FSA mid-year check

We’re halfway through 2023, and it’s a good time to check your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances and take steps to make sure you spend your remaining funds before the end of the year. Here’s some additional reminders:

Health Care FSAs

• Use Health Care FSA funds to purchase summer-related items such as sunscreen, first aid kits, and prescription sunglasses.
• Schedule any necessary back-to-school check-ups and sports physicals if you have children.
• Many over-the-counter items are FSA-eligible, such as pain relievers, cold and allergy medicine, antacids, and feminine care. See the complete list of Health Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses. You can also shop online at the FSA Store.
• This year, you can roll over up to $610 of unused funds into next year. Any other remaining funds in your account are forfeited.

Read more.

DNRP’s Shin Yu Pai talks with disability activist Alice Wong

Shin Yu Pai is not just a storyteller for King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). Among her other accomplishments — and accolades — she’s the author of 11 books of poetry, the current Civic Poet for the City of Seattle, and host of the KUOW award-winning podcast Ten Thousand Things.

Recently, Shin Yu had a conversation for her podcast with disability activist Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project and author of the best-selling memoir Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life. Growing up in a suburb of Indianapolis the child of Chinese immigrants, Wong was already out of place in the predominantly white, affluent community, despite her very supportive family. Her disability, which affected her from a very young age and gradually, but steadily overtook her body, only encouraged her to use her voice for others in the disabled community.

Shin Yu’s episode A voice breaks barriers is a discussion with Alice Wong about what happens “when a public personality actually loses their voice,” replacing it with an app, and “what happens to that sense of self?” Listen to the episode here.

Administrative Professionals Q2 Recognitions published

Celebrate the great work of the County’s Administrative Professionals and read about their accomplishments in the 2023 Q2 Recognitions.

King County Administrative Professionals are a large part of King County government’s workforce and valuable contributors to the success of every department. They support and provide direct services to internal customers and the public.

Administrative Professionals may include, but are not limited to, Administrative Specialists, Office Assistants, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Dental and Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and more.

To show your appreciation and recognize an Administrative Professional that you've worked with, click here.

Volunteer to close a ballot drop box

The Primary election is just around the corner and King County Elections is looking for volunteers to help close ballot drop boxes on election night, Aug. 1. Under state law, ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day.

As a volunteer drop box closer, you will be paired with Elections staff to close a drop box, provide customer service, and hand out I Voted stickers. No experience is necessary!

Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 1 and Elections is looking for volunteers from about 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sign up and join us for a fun and fulfilling experience helping your neighbors experience the excitement and community of casting their ballots.

Please note that this volunteer opportunity is only for current King County employees. Have questions? Learn more here.

Disability Pride lunch and learn: Highlighting key figures with an eye on the future, July 12

In celebration of Disability Pride Month in July, the Disability Awareness Month Committee is hosting a lunch and learn discussion that focuses on key figures in the Disability Rights Movement.

There will be three short videos followed by an open dialogue facilitated by committee members. All King County employees are welcome to join and participate.  

• Wednesday, July 12 from noon to 1 p.m. Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 889 6655 4243

This event will include an ASL interpreter and closed captioning. If you need additional accommodations, please email Christina Davidson at Christina.Davidson@kingcounty.gov.

Balanced You Self-care webinar: BIPOC Mental Health Month Discussion, July 13

Each July we celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Month. Join Balanced You for a discussion on how events from the past and present play a role in the mental health and well-being of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities. Learn techniques on dealing with daily stress and tough transitions, and how keeping joy at the forefront of our lives can lead to a happier existence.

• Thursday, July 13 from noon to 12:50 p.m.  Register here.

King County Disability Equity Network meeting, July 14

The King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) will host its next business meeting on July 14. These meetings are open to all King County employees. The purpose is to center and support those employees who self-identify as a person with a disability. Employees will not be asked to disclose any information regarding one’s disability.  

• Friday, July 14 from noon to 1 p.m. Click here to join the meeting in Teams.

Live captioning is available. Future KCDEN business meetings will occur on the second Friday of each month at noon. 

Agenda items include continued discussion and planning for KCDEN-sponsored events in July and October 2023, in recognition of Disability Pride Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please email disabilityequity@kingcounty.gov.

Tune in to King County’s Evidence Matters webinar, July 20

In partnership with the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at the University of Notre Dame, King County invites you to attend the next Evidence Matters webinar on Thursday, July 20.

Thriving Workers, Thriving Families: Building Evidence to Transform Child Care will examine the state of child care in the United States. Attendees will also learn what King County and other local communities are doing to increase affordable access to child care while providing workers with fair, equitable, and thriving wages. Carrie S. Cihak, King County’s Evidence and Impact Officer, will host this discussion with national leaders, including King County’s Best Starts for Kids co-lead Jessica Tollenaar Cafferty. 

• Thursday, July 20 from noon to 1:15 p.m. Learn more and register here. The event will also be aired later on KCTV.

To receive regular updates on this and future Evidence Matters events, email Carrie Cihak.

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: What does disability pride mean to you? July 26

This moderated panel discussion will feature the voices of several King County employees sharing their personal perspectives on the meaning of disability pride, and how it has influenced their lived experience as a person with a disability.

• Wednesday, July 26 from noon to 1 p.m. Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 4100 3422

ASL interpreters will be provided, and captions will be available.