Newest update from WSF

||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

Life-saving appliance training

Our crewmembers go through a lot of practice to make sure everyone on board is safe. As the weather warms up, our training department is conducting sessions almost daily to make sure our crews meet their requirements and for professional development opportunities. One recent class was in life-saving appliances at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. This is basically an evacuation or abandon ship exercise. With many new faces coming aboard, it is important we invest in our employees as we look to the future.

Representatives from Washington State Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and the Seattle and Bremerton fire departments joined us for the exercise focused on passenger safety in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Public Service Recognition Week

This week is Public Service Recognition Week, when we honor the women and men who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. The Office of Financial Management coordinates our Washington state celebration. I would like to recognize and thank all our employees who work hard to provide safe ferry service to millions of riders each year! Running the largest ferry system in the country takes dedication and skill. I couldn’t be prouder of our team!

Fourteen new terminal employees started work this week. Our public service employees also include designers, engineers, vessel crews and much more!

Advisory group meetings for Fauntleroy terminal project

We met with our Fauntleroy terminal project Community Advisory Group (CAG) last night. They reviewed the first-round screening of potential alternatives for replacing the aging, seismically vulnerable terminal. The group also discussed the alternatives moving on to the next round in the planning process. The CAG is one of three advisory groups providing us with input, along with the community, to help inform decisions and shape the project. The public is invited to attend all advisory group meetings.

Our next Technical Advisory Group meeting is at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 12, and our next Executive Advisory Group meeting is at 1 p.m. Monday, May 23. Advanced registration is required using the hyperlinks for each specific meeting. Project-related questions and comments are always welcome via email. Materials from recent meetings are available in the community engagement section of the project website.

Learn about and take part in upcoming Environmental Justice Council meetings

WSDOT is part of the state’s Environmental Justice Council, working to provide fair treatment and involvement of all people in development and policy decisions as well as addressing disproportionate environmental health impacts to vulnerable and overburdened communities. More information about the Environmental Justice Council work and the upcoming 2022 meetings and how to attend is available online, including a Spanish-language version. Please email envjustice@doh.wa.gov in any language or call 360-584-4398 (telephone interpretation available) to request translated versions of the meeting materials or notes.