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March 3, 2001 4:30 p.m. Employee status, work update Wednesday’s earthquake put us all through a very trying experience. I want to thank you for the care and concern you have demonstrated for the public and each other. You make me proud to be a King County employee. While initial reports indicate most of the damage in King County was to property, my first concern is for the safety of you and your families. The structural engineering firm of CoughlinPorterLundeen inspected the King County Courthouse immediately following Wednesday’s quake. The engineers found no structural damage in our buildings and determined they are safe for occupancy. The King County Courthouse, the Administration Building, the Yesler Building, and the Regional Justice Center in Kent will all be open to the public Monday, March 5. It will be business as usual for the Executive Departments, the County Council, the Prosecutor's and Sheriff's Office. Because of all the operational logistices involved with court operations, Superior and District Courts will be making an announcement later regarding resumption of their normal operations. The following are hotline numbers for Court staff: » Downtown Courthouse: (206) 205.6767 » Juvenile Court: (206) 205.6747 » Regional Justice Center: (206) 205.6746 All floors of the Yesler Building will be open Monday morning now that post-earthquake clean-up work has been completed. The county-owned building is located at 400 Yesler Way in Seattle's Pioneer Square area. We have established an employee emergency hotline, at (206) 296-0600 to provide you with status reports relating to King County facilities. It will be updated daily if necessary. We know this has not been an easy week, and returning to work Monday may be difficult. Therefore, experienced counselors will be available on the 4th floor of the Courthouse all day Monday. Employees who would like to meet with a counselor are encouraged to make a reservation by calling the Employee assistance hotline, at 1-(888)-874-7290. There will be two briefings for employees who have concerns or questions or would like additional safety information on the Courthouse Campus Buildings: WHEN: Monday, March 5, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. WHERE: The Snoqualmie Room on the 4th floor of the King County Courthouse In addition, a briefing on the current status of earthquake related activities is scheduled before the County Council in its Chambers at 1:30 Monday afternoon. It will be televised on CTV, and for employees who would like to watch the televised briefing, there will be televisions and seating in the Snoqualmie Room on the 4th floor of the Courthouse. Individuals and small businesses in King County should file a damage claim directly with the FEMA. A claim hotline number is 1-(800)-462-9029 or TTY 1-(800)-462-7585. Persons who think they may be eligible for disaster assistance programs and would like to file a claim are directed to call that number between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time seven days a week. Again, I want to thank you for the way you have handled yourselves during this emergency. You have all done an extraordinary job in responding to the initial consequences of Wednesday’s earthquake. 
Ron SimsKing County Executive Find more earthquake-related information on the King County Web site at http://www.metrokc.gov Updated: March 3, 2001
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