Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: RISK - Risk

Directors' Update: Feb. 25, 2026

Business Meeting: March 3, 2026

Summary:

Approve interlocal agreement with Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT) to provide technical rescue services for permit-required confined spaces at the Lewis County Jail

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To: Alex Murray, Chris Sweet

Resolution

WHEREAS, RCW 39.34.080 authorizes public agencies to perform governmental services, activities or undertakings that each public agency entering into the contract is authorized by law to perform, provided such contract shall be authorized by the governing body of each party to the contract; and

WHEREAS, the Washington lnterlocal Cooperation Act, RCW 39.34, permits public agencies to cooperate with one another on the basis of mutual advantage to make the most efficient use of their powers, thereby providing services and facilities in a manner that accords best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities. Under the Act, public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action; and

WHEREAS, SORT is a multi-agency team providing specialized technical rescue services, including confined space rescue, to jurisdictions in WA Homeland Security Region 3 (including Lewis County); and

WHEREAS, the COUNTY operates the Lewis County Jail and is responsible for compliance with federal OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.146) for permit-required confined spaces, which may require designation of external rescue services; and

WHEREAS, the COUNTY wishes to obtain technical rescue services from SORT for emergency response and standby rescue in permit-required confined spaces at the Lewis County Jail; and

WHEREAS, it appears to be in the best public interest to authorize the execution of the interlocal agreement.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hereby (1) approves an interlocal agreement between Lewis County and Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team (“SORT”) to provide technical rescue services for permit-required confined spaces at the Lewis County Jail; and (2) authorizes the County Manager to sign on behalf of Lewis County.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 3rd day of March, 2026.