On August 31, 2017, an employee at Dungeness Gear Works suffered an unwitnessed cardiac arrest. When noticed by a co-worker, 911 was activated and two co-workers initiated CPR until Arlington Fire personnel arrive. The patient has made a full recovery. Chief Kraski honored Dungeness co-workers Larry Kappenman and Bob Fiarbanks and Arlington Firefighter/Paramedics Jason Abrahamson, Bob Beam, and Steve Daggett. 

On September 5, 2017, a 16 year old girl was pulled from the bottom  of the Stillaguamish River by a family member. Arlington Fire personnel arrived and initiated lifesaving efforts including swimming to the other side of the river and floating the patient back across on a spine board. The teen spent a considerable amount of time in the ICU. She has fully recovered and is now continuing her studies in high school. Chief Kraski honored Arlington Fire personnel Captain Scott Hillis, Firefighter / Paramedics Steve Daggett, Gregg Haddick, Andrew Shannon, and Firefighter / EMT Al Chamberlin. 

On November 19, 2017, a member of the kitchen staff at the Buzz Inn restaurant suffered a cardiac arrest. Co-workers and a patron of the restaurant initiated CPR until Arlington Fire personnel arrive. The patient has made a full recovery. Chief Kraski honored Buzz Inn co-workers Kyle McReynolds, Jerry Larson, Meade Gould, restaurant patron Dani Crain, and  Arlington Fire Captain Phil Knepper, Firefighter / Paramedics Andrew Shannon, Chris Dickison, Paul Hunsaker, and Firefighter / EMTs Adam von Melville and Aaron Boede. 

The City of Arlington recently earned the 2018 WellCity Award for its wellness programming for 2017. The city met all 40 of the WellCity Award requirements established by the AWC Employee Benefit Trust. In recognition of this achievement, City of Arlington has earned a 2% discount on all AWC Trust medical premiums in 2019.

The City is among 115 dedicated employers in Washington to earn the WellCity Award this year.  Arlington is the only city in the state to earn the award each year that it has been given.

Our goal is to build a workplace culture where employee health is valued and supported, which saves our taxpayers money.  Benefits to an active wellness program are reduced costs related to less sick days taken by employees, reduced disability and health care claim costs, fewer workers' compensation claims, and ultimately a more productive workforce.