Maj. Gen. Stephen Smith, I Corps deputy commanding general, Patricia Byers, Yakima mayor, and Lt. Col. Luke Wittmer, Yakima Training Center commander, participate in the 2020 Army Community Partnership Award virtual ceremony at Yakima Training Center Jan. 13.

Firefighters and community leaders participate in the 2020 Army Community Partnership Award virtual ceremony at Yakima Training Center Jan. 13.

YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – Yakima Training Center and the city of Yakima received the 2020 Army Community Partnership Award during a virtual award ceremony Jan. 13.

Yakima Training Center was one of 10 installations awarded during the ceremony for their dedication to improving the quality of life for Soldiers, families, civilians and local communities through cost efficiencies, reduced response times and improved communications.

"The partnerships we are recognizing serve as a catalyst for discovering new ways to operate efficiently with limited resources," said Lt. Gen. Jason Evans, Army deputy chief of staff, G-9. "Your partnerships contribute greatly to the collective readiness of the U.S. Army and our defense communities every day."

The Army Community Partnership Program under Army G-9 provides support to active-duty, Reserve and National Guard installations and encourages local officials to meet with municipal or state authorities to further mutually beneficial agreements or private sector opportunities.

The Yakima Training Center established a mutual aid agreement to interconnect the installation's and city's fire and emergency services capabilities. The arrangement generates a joint-fire response effort and aims to help improve the quality of life for all personnel in the community.

Patricia Byers, Yakima mayor, and Lt. Col. Luke Wittmer, Yakima Training Center commander, accepted the award presented by Maj. Gen. Stephen Smith, I Corps deputy commanding general.

“We’re honored to recognize the fantastic partnership shared between Yakima Training Center and the city of Yakima,” Smith said. “Not only does this partnership allow for continued training in the area, it serves as an excellent example of the extraordinary things we can achieve by working together with all of our local partners.”

https://www.army.mil/article/241192

More on Yakima Training Center's 2020 Army Community Partnership Award

https://www.army.mil/jblm

JBLM News

https://home.army.mil/yakima/index.php

Yakima Training Center

https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord/index.php

Joint Base Lewis-McChord