Mukilteo Fire Department Chief Chris Alexander stands near one of the new signs, indicating that the fire station will be a safe place for teens to go when in crisis. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Mukilteo Fire Department Chief Chris Alexander stands near one of the new signs, indicating that the fire station will be a safe place for teens to go when in crisis. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Mukilteo fire stations are the newest ‘Safe Places’ for youth

It’s among dozens of designated locations countywide organized by Cocoon House in Everett.

MUKILTEO — Young people in any unsafe situation now can find solace at Mukilteo’s two fire stations.

Through Cocoon House, the Mukilteo Fire Department has become a designated “Safe Place” for teens who need support.

“If we can interact with these kids in crisis before an irreversible decision is made, that’s much better for all concerned,” Fire Chief Chris Alexander said. “This is a way to try to prevent these things or deal with them when they’re much more manageable.”

There are 46 other Safe Place locations in Snohomish County, though Mukilteo is the first fire department to participate. The sites are identified by yellow, diamond-shaped signs.

Safe Place sites in Snohomish County

Anyone ages 12 to 17 can come to the fire stations at any time. A firefighter will stay with them until Cocoon House is notified and can pick them up.

The Everett-based nonprofit serves young people who are homeless or at-risk. It will work with those who go to Safe Places to find resources.

Fire Marshal Roger Rudikoff helped coordinate the program for Mukilteo, though it was Alexander’s idea, Rudikoff said. The department started the effort about a year ago, after Alexander realized all the county’s YMCAs were participating.

The fire stations should have the yellow signs up within a couple of weeks, Rudikoff said.

“We’re a natural safe place to visit. We’re here to care for people. It only makes sense,” he said. “In my opinion all fire stations should do this.”

Rudikoff has helped train staff in Mukilteo on the program, and he is offering his research to other departments.

Any organization can become a Safe Place through Cocoon House if they meet certain guidelines, said Harpreet Gill,a supervisor for the nonprofit.

Cocoon House is the local link for the National Safe Place Network, which runs the program throughout the country.

When Cocoon House adopted the initiative in 2012, it helped about one young person find shelter each month. The number has risen to about three per week, and calls are constantly coming in, Gill said.

Shelter isn’t the only outcome.

“If they can stay home, and it’s a safe environment, that’s where we’re going to keep them,” Gill said. “We really assess the situation.”

The majority of those who come to Cocoon House through Safe Places have been kicked out of their homes, she said.

In other cases, they may suffer abuse at home, generational poverty or homelessness, said Elysa Hovard, Cocoon House’s director of outreach.

“The No. 1 root cause of homelessness is family disruption, so these youth come from homes where their parents are homeless themselves, drug addicted, have no place to go,” she said.

Bringing a safe place to Mukilteo is important in recognizing homeless youth in that community, and around the county, Hovard said.

Alexander, the fire chief, wants young people to know they can stop by if they’re being bullied, feeling overwhelmed by school or family pressure, or facing a dangerous situation.

“We want kids to know it’s OK to ask for help, it’s not a sign of weakness,” Alexander said.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com.

Cocoon House designates Safe Places for young people in Snohomish County. Call Cocoon House to find a Safe Place at 425-877-5171, or to create one, call Harpreet Gill at 425-499-6496.

The Mukilteo fire stations are at 10400 47th Pl. W. and 700 Fifth St.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.