Dear Neighbor:

Thank you for taking the time to read my fall e-Newsletter. My office is working to make our district e-Newsletter a quarterly report that keeps you up-to-date and informed about the county services available to you.

As the holiday season approaches many of us will be preparing for the change in weather by cleaning our gutters, changing windshield wipers, and weatherizing our homes. In this e-Newsletter I’d like to make you aware of a few county services that may be helpful when approaching your fall preparedness. Hopefully these tips will help you prepare for any upcoming inclement weather.

Fall is also budget season, and in this e-Newsletter you will find what I have been working on throughout the late summer including a brief summary of the developments of this year’s county budget. Also, included are links to calendars featuring upcoming local events.

It has always been my top priority to be responsive to the needs and concerns of the constituents I serve.  I encourage you to contact my office at (206) 296-1007 or email me at pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov if you have any questions, comments or concerns.  Also, please visit my Facebook Fan page for updates about my activities at the King County Council.

With Best Wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember
Fall 2012

Features + Resources

Fall and Winter Weather Preparedness

Here are some simple tips to keep your home warm and heating costs down this winter (courtesy of Puget Sound Energy):

• Check doors and windows for leaks and drafts

• Examine heating ducts for leaks

• Have the furnace inspected and serviced

• Add attic insulation (PSE offers insulation rebates up to $1,400)

• Close the fireplace damper when it’s not in use

• Clean or replace the furnace filters

Fall and Winter Emergency Preparedness

The first step to fall and winter preparedness is knowing what challenges you will face when severe fall and winter weather comes. This will help you make the best plan to keep you and your family safe, warm and healthy this fall and winter.

In addition to following current weather and traffic reports, you should take careful note of potential obstacles brought about by weather and resources for responding to them at both your home and workplace. The Northwest has a higher likelihood of severe weather and flooding this year as well as the potential for earthquakes and other major natural disasters.

The loss of power, gas or water can come at any time, and it is important to be prepared in advance for treacherous roads and/or store closures. Experts recommend that families keep an emergency kit on hand that can safely see your household through 3 days of severe weather. This should include sufficient water, food, medicine, light, and heat.

These websites offer checklists for emergency kits that you can print or use to create your own:

Take Winter By Storm

Ready.gov

FEMA Citizen Preparedness Guide

King County Office of Emergency Management

Having a plan is the best way to prepare for severe winter weather. I encourage you to take 10-15 minutes to fill out a checklist and begin preparing for this winter season.

Download and print: Be prepared for severe weather, (PDF 175 KB)

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Management Offices:

Algona – 253-833-2897
Auburn – 253-876-1925
Black Diamond – 253-886-2560
Covington – 253-638-1110
Enumclaw – 360-825-5544
Federal Way – 253-835-2701
Kent – 253-856-4440
Maple Valley – 425-413-8800
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety – 425-432-0200
Milton – 253-922-0944
Pacific – 253-929-1110

Washington State Emergency
Management – 1-800-562-6108
FEMA Region X – 425-487-4600
King County Emergency Management –
206-296-3830
Pierce County Emergency Management –
253-798-6595

Police Dispatch (24 hr):

King County Sheriff – 206-296-3311
Algona, Auburn, Pacific, Black Diamond, Federal Way, Kent – 253-852-2121
Enumclaw – 360-825-5544
Covington, Maple Valley – 206-296-3311
Washington State Patrol – 425-401-7788

Fire and EMS Dispatch (24 hr):

Valley Regional Fire Authority (Auburn, Pacific), KCFP 44/Mountain View Fire and Rescue, Kent, South King Fire and Rescue, KCFD 43/Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety – 253-852-2121
Enumclaw – 360-825-5544

Roads, Transportation, and Traffic:

Travel information – 511
Algona Public Works – 253-833-2897
Auburn Public Works – 253-931-3048
Black Diamond Public Works – 360-886-2560
Covington Public Works (24 hr) – 206-296-8100
Enumclaw Public Works – 360-825-5541
Federal Way Public Works – 253-835-2700
Kent Public Works – 253-856-5500
Maple Valley Public Works – 425-413-8800
Pacific Public Works – Streets – 253-929-1112
Pacific Stormwater Hotline: 253-929-1118
King County Roads (unincorporated areas): 1-800-527-6237

Puget Sound Energy – 1-888-225-5773

King County Flood Warning Information Line: 1-800-945-9263
King County Flood Warning Center: 1-800-768-7932
American Red Cross – King County – 206-323-2345 or 360-377-3761

For emergency contact info by zip code, go to:

Links By Zip

For further emergency preparedness information, check out these websites:

Take Winter By Storm

Ready.gov

King County Office of Emergency Management

King County Public Health – Emergency Preparedness

Washington Military Department – Emergency Management Division

Regional Public Information Network

County Budget Update

On September 24th, 2012, King County Executive Dow Constantine delivered his 2013/2014 proposed budget. We are holding three public budget meetings around the county to hear suggestions on how to improve King County government. We plan to adopt a budget that is sustainable over time and lives within its means. To learn more please view the King County’s 2013 Budget online. Also, you can provide public input in the budget process through Twitter by adding the hashtag #KCBudget to your tweet.  

Event Calendars

Federal Way Mirror

Auburn Reporter

Features and Resources

Community Event Calendars

In the community:

Two District 7 organizations honored with Executive’s Award for Community Preparedness

Councilmember von Reichbauer co-sponsors Reach Out breakfast with KOMO News Chief Weathercaster Steve Pool (September 25, 2012)

South King County September 11th Student Leadership Forum

Executive Director of the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) speaks to south King County leaders (August 29, 2012)

30th anniversary celebration of the Evergreen Club (August 23, 2012)

Wild Waves Theme Park’s 35th anniversary (August 16, 2012)

Working with local residents and the King County Sheriff’s Office to refurbish Lake Dolloff Substation (August 16, 2012)

Ribbon Cutting of the first phase of development for the SR 18, Highway 161, and I-5 Interchange

U.S. Air Force Academy cadet honored (July 9, 2012)

Event honoring south King County officials at Overcomer Covenant Church (June 27, 2012)

UW Medicine CEO and Dean of UW’s School of Medicine speaks to south King County leaders (June 27, 2012)

First Responders Day at Wild Waves Theme Park (June 27,2012)

Meeting with Special Olympics Medalists (June 20,2012)