Skagit County First Responders Foundation

10/15/2026

At 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15, students, families, neighbors and employees will drop, cover and hold on for the Great Washington ShakeOut, part of the country’s largest earthquake drill. The event also includes a tsunami siren test and evacuation drills in some schools.

10/14/2026

10/03/2026

We are honored to share the public education work happening at Skagit 911! Public Safety Telecommunicator Sarahfina Mendoza, shared with us how the PubEd program helps community members of all ages understand what goes on behind the headset and why emergency communications matter so much:

"Public Education (PubEd) at Skagit 911 is more than just getting out into the community—it’s about truly educating people, of all ages, about what we do in 911, how the system works, and why we do what we do. Our PubEd team participates in community education and safety fairs, career days at local high schools, and citizen academies with local law enforcement agencies. These opportunities allow us to not only show the Skagit County community what happens behind the headset but also explain the why and how behind emergency communications.

Education has always been something I am passionate about in my role in 911, especially as a trainer. I’ve had the opportunity to provide resources for young children that teach them how and when to call 911, the importance of knowing their location, and what they can expect when they call.

One of my favorite parts of PubEd is working with local high schools, whether through larger career fairs or classroom presentations. I love being able to share what we do and why our role matters, and to bring awareness to 911 communications as a career opportunity. Being able to connect with the youth in Skagit county and potentially inspire someone to consider a career they may not have even known existed is one of the most rewarding parts of public education for me."

We're so grateful to Sarahfina and the entire Skagit 911 team for the time and care they put into educating our community!

If you'd like to keep up with the stories of the people who serve Skagit County, follow along with the Skagit County First Responders Foundation, and thank you for supporting the first responders who keep our community safe. 💙

10/01/2026

October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month, our foundation is turning our focus toward the incredible fighters, survivors, and families in our community who are impacted by breast cancer.

With 1 in 8 women diagnosed in their lifetime, this is a cause that touches all of us. Hope, strength, and early detection are our greatest tools. A simple reminder to a loved one to schedule a screening can truly save a life.

We are proud to stand with our community in raising awareness, funding vital research, and supporting local patient care programs.

09/26/2026

CONCRETE — Aero Skagit Emergency Services honored the memory of Judy L. Coffell, a friend, colleague and steward of emergency response, this past Saturday, Sept. 19, during a building dedication

09/26/2026

09/21/2026

🎓 Congratulations, Deputy Steen! 🎓

Please join the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office in congratulating Corrections Deputy Gunnar Steen on successfully graduating from the Corrections Academy on September 17, 2026!

We are proud of Deputy Steen’s accomplishment and look forward to the knowledge and skills he will bring to our Corrections Bureau and the citizens of Skagit County.

Congratulations, Gunnar, and welcome to the next chapter of your career! 👏🚔

Pictured with Chief Annette Lindquist, Lieutenant Deanna Randall-Secrest.

09/17/2026

Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Leland Harlan on 10 years of service with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office!

For Sergeant Harlan, a career in law enforcement was shaped long before he joined the Sheriff’s Office. As a teenager in Keyes, California, he volunteered with a neighborhood patrol, and during his military career he continued building experience through anti-terrorism security duties in Guam and later serving as the Ship’s Master-at-Arms, or “Ship Sheriff,” aboard the USS Shoup (DDG 86) in Everett.

After retiring from the military, Sergeant Harlan knew he wanted to continue serving his community. He originally applied for a patrol position with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, but when those positions were full, he was offered an opportunity to join the Corrections Division. He worked in the "old" jail and was part of the first team to open the new Skagit County Community Justice Center. It did not take long for him to realize he had found exactly where he was meant to be.

Looking back over the past 10 years, Sergeant Harlan says some of his proudest moments have come from helping incarcerated individuals find resources, housing, treatment, and hope for a better future. He has had former inmates approach him in the community years later to share that they are now sober, working, raising families, and doing well.

“To take the time to thank me for helping them while they were in Jail is the most rewarding part of my job!”

Sergeant Harlan also makes a special effort to identify incarcerated military service members and help connect them with their chain of command and available resources while supporting them through a difficult time.

His military service taught him confidence, time management, investigative skills, and the importance of teamwork. One lesson has stayed with him throughout both careers: “One Team, One Fight.”

For those just beginning a career in law enforcement, Sergeant Harlan offers this advice: Know your department’s core values, understand what they mean, and live by them. Begin each day with something positive and leave knowing you gave your best and completed what you set out to accomplish.

Congratulations, Sergeant Harlan, on 10 years of dedicated service to the Skagit County community, and thank you for continuing to make a difference both inside the Community Justice Center and beyond!