Contact:

Kent Patton

Kent.Patton@snoco.org

425-388-3883

Executive Somers Appoints Lucia Schmit as Director of Emergency Management

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., November 28, 2022 – Today, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced the appointment of Lucia Schmit as Director of the County’s Department of Emergency Management. Ms. Schmit has served as an emergency management leader at federal, state, and local agencies, including time spent working internationally. She comes to the County from the City of Seattle, where she has worked since 2018 as the Emergency Planning Coordinator.

In her new role, Schmit will be responsible for ensuring the County and its community partners are prepared to collaboratively limit harm to people and property from a host of potential emergencies, including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, severe weather, and human-caused hazards.

“As we’ve seen over the last few years, Snohomish County’s Department of Emergency Management is a vital tool to help us respond to any disaster, from a global pandemic to floods and winter storms,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Lucia will be a great asset as we work to make Snohomish County even more resilient and prepare ourselves for any future emergencies.”

“Snohomish County is facing new and evolving hazards, such as wildfires and extreme heat like we saw this fall,” Ms. Schmit said. “We are challenged with balancing our investment and attention to those without losing sight of more familiar hazards. I look forward to partnering with Snohomish County cities and departments to come up with creative and effective ways to solve those problems, and to build resilience in all our communities.”

Schmit was confirmed by the Snohomish County Council last week and is the department’s third director since it was created 17 years ago.