Summary

The Tukwila Emergency Communications Team (TEC Team) is the recipient of this year's Executive's Award for Community Preparedness, given each fall in recognition of outstanding efforts made by volunteer organizations to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Story

An all-volunteer organization from Tukwila was recognized today by King County Executive Dow Constantine for their commitment to emergency preparedness and response. The Tukwila Emergency Communications Team (TEC Team) is the recipient of the sixth annual Executive's Award for Community Preparedness. The award is given each fall in recognition of outstanding efforts made by volunteer organizations to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The award is also intended to promote safer communities, strengthening King County as a whole. The ceremony was hosted by Tukwila City Council President Joe Duffie and held at the Tukwila Emergency Operations Center.

"Tukwila has a dedicated team of well-trained volunteers who stand ready to help the city deliver critical information during emergencies," said Executive Constantine. "They uphold our region's proud tradition of volunteerism, contributing to the health, safety, and well-being of our community."

Begun in 2009 by a group of radio enthusiasts, the TEC Team today consists of twenty volunteer emergency communications responders who work or live in the City of Tukwila. They self-train and drill monthly in emergency communications best practices and incident management. Each volunteer holds FEMA certification and trains regularly to ensure close coordination with all levels of government during an incident.

"The dedication and commitment shown by the TEC Team is making a real difference in our ability to better serve our community," said Tukwila Emergency Manager Marty Grisham. "They are a critical communications and information link to city offices and first responders."

TEC Team members are drawn from throughout the community: IT professionals, engineers, homemakers, project managers, small business owners, city council members, and more. Each TEC Team member is trained to staff the Tukwila Emergency Operations Center (EOC) whenever the need arises.

In June, the group participated in the Cascadia Rising 2016 mega-quake exercise, the largest of its kind ever held in the Pacific Northwest. TEC Team members staffed the city's radio room and deployed throughout city departments to pass emergency communications to the EOC, the Incident Commander, and others deployed during the drill. Volunteers took up to three days of personal time from their regular jobs to lend their skills and help the city to prepare for the next emergency.

"The impressive work done by these dedicated volunteers sets the standard that everyone should aspire to," said Council President Duffie. "Through the hard work of these engaged volunteers, our community is safer and more ready than ever to respond in an emergency."

"As we head into another storm season it is more important than ever for communities to be prepared," Executive Constantine said. "We encourage everyone to follow the examples that we honor today, and to prepare themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods for the next emergency."

Relevant link

• King County Emergency Management

Quotes

Tukwila has a dedicated team of well-trained volunteers who stand ready to help the city deliver critical information during emergencies. They uphold our region's proud tradition of volunteerism, contributing to the health, safety, and well-being of our community.

The dedication and commitment shown by the TEC Team is making a real difference in our ability to better serve our community. They are a critical communications and information link to city offices and first responders.

The impressive work done by these dedicated volunteers sets the standard that everyone should aspire to. Through the hard work of these engaged volunteers, our community is safer and more ready than ever to respond in an emergency.

For more information, contact:

Barnaby Dow, Emergency Management, 206-205-4070
Cameron Satterfield, Executive Services, 206-263-9758