PORT ANGELES — Former state Rep. Jim Buck and and Blaine Zechenelly of Clallam County Emergency Management and Clallam Fire District No. 3 have earned accolades from Gov. Jay Inslee for their work in emergency preparedness.
Buck, a vocal earthquake preparedness advocate, earned the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award under the disaster preparedness and response category for the award.
“The awards honor some of Washington’s most dedicated individuals, groups and families for their commitment to volunteerism as the foundation for caring communities and a thriving Washington,” Amber Martin-Jahn, executive director of Serve Washington, wrote in a letter to Buck.
Zechenelly earned an honorable mention in the Citizen Corps/Citizen Emergency Response Team category.
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Penelope Linterman, Clallam County Emergency Management program coordinator, nominated Buck for the award and recognized Buck and Zechenelly during the Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
Commissioner Mark Ozias congratulated both for being recognized for their work.
“As we know, trying to prepare for the variety of emergencies that may present themselves at some date uncertain is not an easy thing to plan for,” Ozias said.
“It takes a lot of people doing it from a lot of different directions. I’m very grateful for the work you are all doing.”
Buck has been invited to attend the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards Ceremony at the executive mansion in Olympia on April 9 and has been invited to a pre-game on-field recognition at the Seattle Mariners game against the Houston Astros on April 16.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.