Today King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership as the winner of the 11th annual Executive’s Award for Community Resilience for their collaborative effort to deliver tens of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses to residents of east King County. The award is given each fall in recognition of outstanding efforts made by community organizations to prepare for and respond to emergencies, to promote safer communities, and strengthen King County as a whole.
“For us to truly succeed in becoming more resilient, each of us must do our part as individuals and as members of our broader community to be ready to help,” said Executive Constantine. “That’s why I established the award eleven years ago, and why I’m honored to recognize the incredible, collaborative work of the Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership today.”
The Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership was formed when the Cities of Sammamish and Issaquah, Eastside Fire and Rescue, and the Snoqualmie Tribe joined efforts to ensure equitable distribution of critical COVID-19 vaccine to King County residents. Last spring, shortages of COVID-19 vaccine made it extremely difficult for area residents to secure an appointment for the shot.
From April to mid-June, the Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership delivered more than 15,000 doses of vaccine at a drive-through vaccination site at Lake Sammamish State Park, assisted by more than 200 volunteers. Eastside Fire and Rescue personnel also delivered nearly 6,800 vaccines at the Snoqualmie Tribal Casino and close to 1,000 doses through mobile vaccination teams and pop-up clinics, focusing on vulnerable and historically marginalized populations.
The Partnership conducted vaccine clinics at cultural centers, faith-based facilities, food banks, shopping centers, and neighborhood associations in Issaquah and Sammamish, and assisted area school districts with their vaccination efforts. Washington State Parks, King County Emergency Management, and Public Health – Seattle & King County provided support for the effort.
The Partnership worked with human service agencies to identify and schedule vaccination appointments for vulnerable populations and anyone having difficulty navigating the health system, with particular attention paid to non-English speaking audiences. The vaccination efforts also included alliances with the business community to provide incentives and giveaways to patients after vaccination.
The Partnership’s whole-community approach ensured that the delivery of vaccine provided equity of access to King County residents and greatly contributed to some of the highest community-wide vaccination rates in the state.
“The Snoqualmie Tribe is very grateful to have this work recognized by Executive Constantine,” said Robert de los Angeles, Snoqualmie Tribal Chairman. “It was an honor to us to be able to exercise our Tribal sovereignty and demonstrate our resilience in a way that supported and protected the community in such a direct way. We could not have asked for better partners than Eastside Fire and Rescue, the City of Sammamish, and the City of Issaquah in making this a reality.”
“Eastside Fire and Rescue is appreciative of Executive Constantine for recognizing the Snoqualmie Tribe Partnership for the King County Executive Award,” said Chief Jeff Clark of Eastside Fire and Rescue. “It was an incredible adventure to have such a collaborative group to work with. The cooperation between the Snoqualmie Tribe, City of Issaquah, and the City of Sammamish demonstrated the priority we all place on our communities. The relationships that have been built is something that will only grow into the future.”
“Our impressive vaccination rates in Issaquah and Sammamish reflect the dedication of our partnership – including Snoqualmie Tribe, local agencies and volunteers – to provide easy and equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly. “We are forever grateful for Snoqualmie Tribe’s care for our communities.”
“Because of our respectful partnership with the Snoqualmie Tribe, Sammamish and Issaquah are leaders in the region for vaccination rates. We are grateful for the Snoqualmie Tribe and the many volunteers who willingly stepped up and served the community, and ultimately saved lives,” said Sammamish Mayor Karen Moran.
For tips and information on emergency preparedness, visit kingcounty.gov/prepare.
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Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership wins Executive’s Award for Community Resilience – King County
