BREMERTON — Kitsap County’s only year-round, overnight homeless shelter could close, at least temporarily, next month.

Kitsap Rescue Mission will be without a space to run its overnight shelter service by Oct. 13 because its current building is not up to fire code, according to an announcement by the nonprofit on Wednesday. 

"We just need to find temporary accommodations," said Nancy Olsten, Kitsap Rescue Mission interim executive director. 
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The Rescue Mission, which has 26 beds, has been operating under a temporary permit during renovations to its building on Sixth Street in downtown Bremerton. But that permit is set to expire because of concerns about fire safety and will not be renewed until the building is brought up to code, according to the announcement. 

Through Kitsap Rescue Mission, the community takes care of its people experiencing homelessness in several important ways, including meals, clothing, case management, job training and an overnight shelter that sleeps 26.

KRM is the only emergency homeless shelter operating year-round in Kitsap County. The Mission has been operating the overnight shelter services on a temporary permit, due to the renovation that is slowly taking place in the building on 6th Street in Bremerton. That temporary permit is expiring, and due to concern over fire safety, it will not be renewed until the building is brought up to code.

Due to this news, KRM needs to find a place to temporarily relocate the overnight shelter service by October 13th. We will be meeting weekly with the City of Bremerton, which is supporting us in our efforts to bring the shelter up to code for sleeping accommodations. We will have a plan posted soon which will detail what’s needed to reopen the shelter permanently. 
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The Dayroom will remain open and all services offered during business hours will continue. Case management, the WAV Program, clothing distribution and our offer of welcome and coffee will not be interrupted. Our hours of operation are 9:00am to 11:30am, and 1:00pm to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
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WE HAVE 3 REQUESTS: 
First, if you know of a facility that could provide shelter for our 26 guests, please let us know. Places suitable for an indoor overnight shelter must have a sprinkler system and easy access to bathrooms.
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Second, if you know of a church that would let us use their parking lot or field to set up a temporary shelter, let us know. The area would be fenced, staffed and have hygiene facilities on site. It’s our understanding that churches can host services such as this, even when the city or county codes don’t allow it otherwise (see RCW 36.01.290).
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Third, fundraising. Our ultimate goal is to raise enough funds to purchase and install the sprinkler system and complete the renovations. We won't be able to achieve this without your support. We thank you for your giving and heart to help restore people and families in our community. 
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Please contact the Executive Director, Nancy Olsten, if you know of an organization that would be willing to explore these options with us. You can reach Nancy at nolsten@kitsaprescue.org.

​The purpose of this survey is to find out what you think about health and the strengths and needs of your community.  Your answers are very important to us and are anonymous - your name will not appear anywhere on this survey.

This survey is completely voluntary.  Your choice to participate will in no way affect your ability to access services.

The results of this survey will be analyzed and used for development of community health priorities.

This is a wonderful way for you to have a voice in community planning.  Thank you for your participation!

​PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fire Department has become proactive in helping those who rely on 9-1-1 for basic medical services.

The city’s Community Paramedicine program has saved at least $95,000 in its first six months and, more importantly, improved the lives of those who have fallen through the cracks and repeatedly use 9-1-1 for non-emergencies, Fire Chief Ken Dubuc said.
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“The true benefit is those people’s lives are better,” Dubuc said Wednesday.

OLYMPIA -- Washington State Department of Health (DOH) officials are reporting the first confirmed case of a severe lung disease linked with the use of vaping devices identified by Public Health – Seattle & King County. 

“The symptoms of this patient match what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have asked all state and local health jurisdictions to be on the lookout for in regards to the nationwide investigation into this matter,” said Washington State Health Officer Kathy Lofy. “This is the first patient identified in Washington associated with this outbreak.”

Public Health – Seattle & King County has reported the patient is a young adult male who has recovered after being hospitalized in August at a local King County Hospital.

The Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration launched a multi-state investigation regarding an outbreak of severe lung disease associated with using vaping devices/e-cigarette products in August.

While the CDC investigation is ongoing and has not identified a definitive cause, all reported cases have a history of using vaping devices.

Vaping devices — also known as JUULs, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, mods, tanks, or electronic nicotine delivery systems — can contain nicotine, marijuana, or other substances like flavoring agents and chemicals.

“We’re urging clinicians to report any known hospitalized cases of severe lung disease associated with vaping to their local health department” Lofy said. “We will continue to update the public on the status of the investigation and steps they can take to protect their health. Gov. Inslee asked DOH last week to provide him with policy options including a full ban on flavors. We are not waiting for the federal government and are moving ahead with the governor’s request."

The healthiest option is to not smoke or vape. Nicotine and marijuana can be harmful in any form. Anyone using tobacco or vaping products and attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments, including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco or vaping products, contact your health care provider or access online resources to quit tobacco and/or marijuana.

If you continue to use vaping devices, you should monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. You should never buy vaping products with THC or other cannabinoids off the street, and you should not modify or add any substances to these products not intended by the manufacturer.

King County public health officials will be updating their blog with the most recent information regarding this case.

The Department of Health will make more information available on their website as it is available.  
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For more detailed information on the federal investigation, please refer to the CDC web page regarding the matter.