King County receives Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for support of National Guard and Reserve

King County has been honored with a 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in recognition of its support of National Guard and Reserve members.

Only 15 recipients were selected for the award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to small and large private and public sector employers for their exceptional support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. Read more.

Join us for Pride Flag-raising Friday at noon

You’re invited to join King County Executive Dow Constantine as he hoists the Pride Flag over the Administration Building at noon tomorrow, Friday, June 23, in celebration of Pride Month.

Executive Constantine will be joined by other King County leaders and employees on the Administration Building Plaza (Fourth Avenue side, 500 Fourth Avenue) at noon tomorrow to raise the Pride Flag.

Pride Parade is Sunday

This Sunday, June 25, you can also join Executive Constantine and hundreds of King County colleagues, family, and friends in the Seattle Pride Parade in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Send an email to Leah.Holland@kingcounty.gov with PRIDE INFO 2023 in the subject line for more information.

Your attendance at these events is of course strictly voluntary, and employees will not be compensated or receive overtime for attending.

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

King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) will be the first airport in the nation to receive a Striker Volterra 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) hybrid electric fire engine after finalizing purchase details with Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The new rig complements the airport's existing diesel-powered firefighting vehicles also made by Oshkosh Airport Products and will allow the airport to retire its oldest diesel fire truck.

“Climate change is an urgent global crisis that requires us all to do our part, in ways large and small, to shrink our carbon footprint,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. Read more.

How to prepare for an early and long 2023 wildfire season 

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider

Since 2017, rising temperatures and dryer conditions have created a health risk we’re learning to expect in the Pacific Northwest – wildfire smoke season.

This year, wildfire smoke is forecast to start early in King County and last into fall. Record-setting forest fires have already darkened skies in Canada and the eastern U.S., and our region is set to be next. By preparing now, you can help to protect your and your family’s lungs, heart, and health from smoke. Read more.

Sun safety tips

As we all know, our region does not get year-round sun. It seems like every year when summer arrives, we rush outside to get the much-needed sun we've been missing. Whether you are enjoying your summer activities or exposed to sun during your workday, don't forget to follow these sun safety tips to keep you cool and safe: 

• Wear sunscreen: No matter your skin type, sunscreen helps protect you from damage caused by UV rays. Cover all exposed areas of your body with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. 
• Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, light colored and loose-fitting clothing. Consider a hat or glasses to keep the sun out of your eyes.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluid throughout the day (even if you are not thirsty). 
• Stay cool: Consider buying a fan or AC unit early in the summer to have when needed. Keep blinds closed on hot days and take breaks in cool areas if spending a lot of time outside in hot weather.  

Get Movin' with Balanced You returns

After much anticipation, the Get Movin’ with Balanced You virtual movement breaks are back! Balanced You has partnered with Vivecorp to bring you free bi-weekly 30-minute workouts to break up your workday. Each session is run by a certified trainer. Learn how to properly do various exercises during live yoga, stretching, cardio, and strengthening sessions. 

Classes are for all levels from beginner to advanced. No special gear is needed, the sessions are all body weight movement. A yoga mat is optional.

 Click here to view the new schedule or register for the next session below.

• Yoga, Wednesday, June 28 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register here.

Balanced You Self-care Webinar: Tips to Beat the Burnout

Summer is approaching and this time of year is typically when many of us experience mid-year burnout.

Join Balanced You and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a discussion on how to identify common and not-so-common signs of burnout, techniques to get through it, and suggestions on how teams can support each other to lessen burnout.

• Thursday, June 29 from 11 to 11:50 a.m. Register here.

Upcoming Mindfulness classes

Mindful Relationships: Growing healthier relationships

Take a deep dive into untangling repetitive patterns of reactivity through mindfulness and cultivate a better understanding of yourself and those and others by becoming more aware of emotions and needs. Develop kindness and compassion as you find ways to repair rifts and build connections. 

• Wednesday, June 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. Register here.

Mindful Parenting: Teach your children well

Become clearer on the values you intend to model for your children and use mindfulness to close the gap between that and what you're actually doing and saying. Learn how to understand your children's feelings and unmet needs and how to bring yourself back to "big picture parenting."

• Friday, June 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Register here.

View full mindfulness schedule here.

Seattle Symphony performance discounts

King County employees can now take advantage of a summer series of performances at Seattle Symphony. Limit four tickets per event. Use the promo code before selecting seats:

• Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: June 30 and July 1 and 2. Use promo code MOVIES to waive all handling fees.
• Hawaiian Summer Holiday: Wednesday, July 12. Use promo code ALOHA for 25% off and no additional fees. 
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: July 14 through 16. Use promo code MOVIES to waive all handling fees.

View performance details and purchase tickets at www.seattlesymphony.org/concerttickets. 

See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.

Pet of the Week: Cricket

Hi, my name is Cricket, and I'm available for adoption. I'm a one-year-old male Pit Bull/mix who is full of energy and loves to run! I am a very smart boy and could benefit from some training. I seem to do well with other dogs, however, when meeting dogs in a new home I would do best with a slow introduction. 

Find out more about me and my firends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov. RASKC is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.