Skip to content

The Awards & Recognition Committee of the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA) has selected the City of Bainbridge Island & Bainbridge Prepares WASH Team for the IAEM-USA 2025 Preparedness Award. The award will be presented at the 73rd IAEM Annual Conference & EMEX in Louisville, Kentucky.

2025 IAEM-USA Preparedness Award Recipient: City of Bainbridge Island & Bainbridge Prepares WASH Team

The Bainbridge Prepares WASH Team has been recognized with the Preparedness Award for their exceptional dedication to educating the Bainbridge Island community about disaster readiness, with a particular emphasis on water, sanitation, and hygiene—critical but often overlooked aspects of emergency planning.

Through strong collaboration with other Bainbridge Prepares volunteers and partner organizations— including the City of Bainbridge Island, the Bainbridge Island Fire District, the Bainbridge Island School District, and the Senior Community Center—the WASH Team has provided hands-on training across neighborhoods, conducted outreach at key community events such as the Farmers Market and the City’s annual Day of Preparedness, and hosted a well-attended workshop on residential well water preparedness.

The team has developed accessible and replicable educational materials, available on their website and upon request, ensuring these resources can benefit other communities and preparedness programs beyond Bainbridge Island.

The WASH Team’s dedication, amounting to hundreds of volunteer hours, has significantly advanced the island’s overall disaster resilience. Their focused efforts have brought vital attention to water, sanitation, and hygiene needs—areas essential for community health and safety during and after emergencies.

The Preparedness Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in preparedness activities and services for constituencies served.

For an official copy of this press release, please contact Dawn Shiley, CAE.

Scroll To Top