Skagit County First Responders Foundation

08/31/2026

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.

Today, we remember the lives lost to overdose, recognize the grief carried by families and loved ones, and stand beside those who are working toward recovery.

Overdose can affect anyone, and knowing how to respond can save a life. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and give first responders critical time to provide lifesaving care.

Here in Skagit County, resources are available for individuals, families, and community members who need support:

💜 Skagit County Public Health
Naloxone, overdose prevention education, referrals, harm reduction services, and connections to treatment
📞 360-416-1500

💜 Community Action of Skagit County
Naloxone and community support resources
📞 360-416-7585

💜 Skagit Community Detox
Withdrawal management, substance use disorder assessments, referrals, and assistance connecting to ongoing treatment
📞 360-757-7738

💜 Washington Recovery Help Line
24/7 support and referrals for substance use and mental health services
📞 1-888-789-1511

If you believe someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available.

Awareness matters. Education matters. Compassion matters. And recovery is possible.

Today we remember. We support. We work together to save lives. 💜

08/26/2026

🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

Today is all about celebrating the dogs who make life a little more fun and a lot more lovable. ❤️

We want to see your pups! Share a photo of your dog in the comments and tell us their name. 🐶

Let’s fill the comments with some of Skagit County’s cutest four legged friends!

08/24/2026

This August, we recognize Purple Heart Recognition Month and honor the men and women who have been wounded or killed in the line of duty while serving our country. The Purple Heart is among the oldest military decorations still awarded today, first established by General George Washington in 1782 and revived in its modern form in 1932 to honor those who have shed blood in defense of our nation. Each recipient carries a story of sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to something greater than themselves.

Many veterans go on to serve their communities again as first responders, carrying that same dedication and courage into their work protecting Skagit County. Whether responding to emergencies, patrolling our streets, or answering the call in moments of crisis, these individuals continue a legacy of service that began long before they put on a uniform for their community. Their willingness to step forward, again and again, reflects a depth of character that deserves our lasting gratitude.

This month, we encourage you to take a moment to thank a veteran in your life, especially those who carry the Purple Heart. Their sacrifice made a lasting impact, and their continued service, in whatever form it takes, strengthens the community we all call home. We're grateful for their sacrifice, both in uniform and beyond, and we thank every Purple Heart recipient for what they've given for our freedom.

08/21/2026

August is International Emergency Management Awareness Month! We have a fantastic team at Skagit Department of Emergency Management that ensures that we are prepared for any type of emergency.

Get to Know: Skagit County Department of Emergency Management (DEM)

The Department of Emergency Management, also known as DEM, helps coordinate resources, planning, communication, and support during emergencies and disasters. As well as the ever important training for these events and emergencies.

When an emergency happens, there is a lot of work taking place behind the scenes to keep response efforts organized, supported, and moving forward.

From floods and earthquakes to severe weather, shelters, and large-scale incidents, DEM works alongside first responders, local agencies, volunteers, and community partners to help protect Skagit County.

They may not always be the most visible part of a response, but their work is essential to keeping our community prepared, informed, and supported.

Thank you to our DEM team for the important work you do for Skagit County!

08/20/2026

👋 Please join us in welcoming Officer Rachael Humberg, our new School Resource Officer!

Officer Humberg has served with the Sedro-Woolley Police Department for five years and has already spent time building positive relationships with students, staff and our school community through her work as a patrol officer. She is excited to build on those connections in her new role as SRO.

Her primary goal is helping keep our schools safe, but she also wants students to know she is there as a resource. SWHS students are encouraged to stop by her office near the counseling office, say hello in the hallway or reach out if they have a concern. Even if she isn't the right person to help, Officer Humberg hopes she can connect students with someone who can.

When she's not working, you can often find Officer Humberg in the mountains. She's an avid trail runner and snowboarder who has recently been exploring Mount Baker. This summer, her adventures took her even farther from home, including a weeklong hiking trip through the Dolomites!

We're excited to welcome Officer Humberg to this new role and look forward to seeing the relationships she builds with our students, staff and families throughout the school year. 💙🤍

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

Behind every 911 call is a calm, steady voice ready to help, and that readiness doesn't happen by accident. This month, we're spotlighting the training that shapes Skagit County's dispatchers, and the people who make it possible. Meet Stephanie Strimple, Training Supervisor at Skagit 911, who shared what it takes to prepare someone for one of the most demanding jobs in public safety.

"At Skagit 911, new dispatchers spend nearly a year training in-house before they ever work on their own. Their training is a combination of classroom academy instruction and hands-on, one-on-one training. A big part of that comes from our Communications Training Officers (CTOs), experienced dispatchers who work side-by-side with trainees to teach everything from using our many programs, call taking, and radio operations to critical thinking and handling stressful situations.
Being a CTO is more than just teaching policies, rules, and black-and-white concepts. It's helping someone build confidence and learn how to use their resources and make good decisions when people are having some of the worst days of their lives.

I was drawn to training because others invested so much time and patience in me when I was new. One of the most rewarding parts of this job is watching someone grow from being nervous on their first day to becoming a confident dispatcher who is ready to help our community and support our fellow first responders. Dispatchers are often referred to as the calm in the chaos, and training is how we make sure we're ready to be that calm voice when someone needs us most." -Stephanie

Thank you, Stephanie, for the dedication you and your team of CTOs bring to training the next generation of dispatchers. Because of that investment, our community can count on a calm, capable voice whenever they need help most.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the first responder agencies who keep Skagit County safe!

08/14/2026

Tomorrow, Saturday August 15th is the Cascade Days Grand Parade, kicking off at 11:00 a.m. down Main Street in Concrete! We hope you'll come out and cheer alongside us as our first responders and community partners roll through town. Grab a spot along Main Street early and bring the whole family for a morning of hometown spirit 🚓🚑

Enjoy the Main event of Cascade Days - the Cascade Days Parade down Main Street in Concrete Wa.

08/12/2026

Join Clear Lake Firefighters for a free Safety Fair!
Clear Lake Firefighters Association

08/12/2026

I had the opportunity to interview Sergeant Craig Caulk with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. He currently leads the Traffic Division and takes great pride in making sure deputies have the training, tools, and resources they need to serve the community well. He is also passionate about partnering with neighboring agencies so teams can learn, train, and grow together.

For this employee spotlight, we wanted to highlight the work he continues to do for the Sheriff’s Office, the Traffic Division, and the Skagit County community.

He began his career in the military, where he gained valuable skills that he continues to bring into his current role. After retiring from the Air Force, he began serving as a deputy with the Island County Sheriff’s Office in 2000, where he worked until 2005. He then joined the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office in 2005 and has continued serving the community here ever since.

Sergeant Caulk has a servant’s heart and is passionate about growth, education, and supporting those around him. During his time with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, he has served as a Marine Deputy, Assistant Lead for the SWAT Team, Field Training Officer, Sergeant for Field Training Officers, Patrol Sergeant, and now Traffic Sergeant.

One way he continues to move the Traffic Division forward is by looking at how deputies can best serve the citizens of Skagit County. He shared that approximately 22 percent of the population are repeat offenders, yet deputies spend nearly 50 percent of their time responding to those individuals. That means for many residents, their only interaction with deputies may be through traffic enforcement.

Because of this, his goal is to make traffic enforcement encounters as educational and respectful as possible. The purpose is not only to enforce traffic laws, but to help keep the community safe and make sure drivers understand the reason behind that enforcement.

Another large part of the work he leads involves motor vehicle accidents and the investigations that follow. These calls require training, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to public safety. The Traffic team consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. A couple members of the team have attended college level classes and completed more than 200 hours of training to become the first crash reconstructionist at Skagit County Sheriff's office. Through continued education, updated resources, and regional collaboration, he works to ensure deputies are prepared to respond when these incidents occur.

Recently, Sergeant Caulk was awarded the 2025 Law Enforcement Liaison of the Year by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for his dedication to Target Zero, outstanding leadership, and commitment to building strong partnerships. This recognition is largely due to his work creating a regional crash investigation team in partnership with Washington State and neighboring agencies, which will help provide thorough, high-quality investigations for complex and significant collisions throughout Skagit County and the surrounding area. Congratulations Sergeant!

On a more personal note, Sergeant Caulk is also passionate about giving back to the community and supporting the first responder community. He and his wife, Tiffany, are involved with the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 18, where they help raise funds and put on events for members and their families.

Community is incredibly important for first responders and their loved ones. Through their involvement, they have helped host appreciation days and family activities, including bowling and skating. Together, they want to promote a culture of support for officers and their families, recognizing how stressful and demanding this work can be.

Sergeant Caulk and his wife also attend His Place Church, where they enjoy volunteering and supporting their community.

One motto he works by is, “Every problem is an opportunity.” That mindset says a lot about his leadership and dedication to service. We are grateful to spotlight Sergeant Caulk and the work he continues to do for the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and our community!