Thurston County facilities are now open to the public with restrictions, including maintaining physical distancing of at least six feet at all times and, per the Washington State Secretary of Health’s face covering order wearing a cloth face covering or mask. If you come to county facilities, please be prepared for potentially long wait times or lines due to distancing guidelines. We continue to encourage residents to access county services online, by phone, by email, or through the use of drop boxes located outside of county buildings.
The availability of remote services vary by office and department.

Click here for office and department contact information
Click here for information on COVID-19

Faith Communities Preparedness

​Local faith organizations meet quarterly to discuss disaster planning for their organizations and for the county.

The meetings are generally held each April and October.

Next Meeting:

April 2020 TBD ~ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: TBD

For more information send an email to Vivian Eason

Past Meeting Topics
October 22, 2018

​Faith Community Volunteer Ideas

Thurston Community Alert Flyer

Smart 911 Flyer

Limited English Proficiency

May 9, 2016

​Assistance by Homebound Communion Members

Disaster Preparedness Menu

Santa Cruz Harbor Tsunami Surge Video

May 2016 Powerpoint

July 28, 2014

​Active Shooter Booklet

July 29, 2013

​Emergency Guides Templates

First United Methodist Church

Yelm Community United Methodist Church

October 5, 2010

​Service Master Presentation

(Tips on how to deal with water damage, mold, etc.)

July 26, 2010

​Disaster First Aid slideshow

April 26, 2010

​Disaster First Aid website

training system info

January 28, 2010

​Parish Nurse Program Presentation

Ed Quarles

January 10, 2010

​Supporting Your Community Health Needs

Diana Yu

Local Faith Organizations Emergency Plans
Sample Church Plans

​Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Emergency Communication Plan

St Andrew's United Methodist Church
Emergency Procedures Quick Reference Plan *

Yelm United Methodist Church
Emergency Procedures Quick Reference Plan *

* credit to John Thomson at Yelm UMC for the original plan.

What can your church or organization do in advance to support emergency preparedness?
Prepare your church or organization

​Develop and practice an evacuation plan for your facility.

Develop a continuity of operations plan for your organization.

  • Business Continuity Worksheet
  • Reciprocal Arrangement
  • Business Continuity Presentation
Prepare your members to be on their own for 3 days
  • ​Request an emergency preparedness workshop
  • Have a Standard Plug-in Telephone
  • Message from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Crisis Counseling
  • Prepare Yourself
Prepare in a Year Program (2010 Newsletters)
  • ​January-March
  • April
  • May-June
  • July-August
  • September-October
  • November-December
Other steps you can take to prepare
  • ​Make and distribute preparedness kits for low income members. For a list of resources, click here.
  • Train congregation members to utilize Amateur Radio.
  • Use prayer circles and phone trees to do wellness checks on vulnerable members after a disaster or storm. Take this one step further-have a plan to go in person to check on your most vulnerable members if phone services have been out for a prolonged period of time.
  • Sign up to be an American Red Cross Shelter location. Contact the local American Red Cross office at 360-352-8575 for more information.
  • Sign up to be a staging area for Search & Rescue operations.
Do you want more information? Email List Signup?

​If you would like more information, or to be added/removed from the email list,

please send Vivian Eason an email or call 360-867-2825.