{"id":4540,"date":"2024-07-19T08:28:16","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T15:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/?p=4540"},"modified":"2024-07-19T08:28:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T15:28:18","slug":"in-good-times-and-in-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/2024\/07\/19\/in-good-times-and-in-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"In good times and in bad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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One of our most crucial responsibilities is to be there when our community needs us most. Whether it is a mass shooting, wildfire, plane crash, train derailment, or pandemic, we need to support our residents on their \u201cworst day.” That\u2019s why this week\u2019s Safety Summit, sponsored by the Department of Emergency Management, was so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was our second annual Summit and was a big step up from last year.\u00a0We tripled the number of attendees – driving us to a larger venue at Clover Park Technical College.\u00a0 We had representatives from across our community including county departments, cities, governmental agencies, law enforcement, fire service,\u00a0 K12 schools and higher education!\u00a0 They heard both national and local speakers, learned from incidents in Clark County (Nevada), Joplin, Uvalde, Grays Harbor and others.\u00a0 Thursday morning, elected officials, police chiefs and communications professionals from across Pierce County met to learn about crisis communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Summit concluded with an active shooter exercise for law enforcement and fire personnel at Washington High School.\u00a0 I am thankful that we prepare for a day we hope will never come.\u00a0 Because if it does, seconds matter and all our preparation could save lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My thanks to Director Jody Ferguson, Deputy Director Amy Gillespie and the entire Emergency Management Team for their work to plan and implement this important Summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, that\u2019s the \u201cbad times\u201d we may face in our region.  What about the good times?  Well, one of the best things I can imagine is falling in love. That\u2019s where the Auditor\u2019s Office comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had the opportunity to tag along as Arlisea Poole, Recording and Licensing Supervisor, processed marriage licenses for happy couples. It was fun to meet the lovebirds and learn more about this important role we play in the beginning of their legal life as a couple. It\u2019s been over four decades since Lauren and I applied for our marriage license in Pierce County,  so I had some catching up to do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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