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Tacoma’s new postmaster discusses operations, dog-bite prevention and recruiting
Summary
Damon Coquillette, Tacoma’s new postmaster, outlined the scale of local postal operations, safety steps for carriers after 17 dog bites this year, and recruitment plans including an upcoming job fair, during an interview on TV Tacoma’s Tacoma Report.
Damon Coquillette, Tacoma’s new postmaster, described the scope of Tacoma-area postal operations and urged residents to help prevent dog bites in an interview on TV Tacoma’s Tacoma Report. Coquillette said the local operation covers roughly 290 delivery routes, “over 200,000 delivery points,” a budget of about $54,000,000 and about 540 employees.
“It's a great question. I...really like providing an essential service to our community,” Coquillette said, describing his priorities as improving service and providing a “great work environment” for employees.
Coquillette discussed dog-bite prevention as part of the Postal Service’s dog-bite awareness month. “This year, we've had 17 dog bites here in Tacoma,” he said. He described training and tools carriers use, including carrying a mailbag to interpose between a dog and carrier, carrying dog spray, rattling keys, and using handheld scanners with GPS alerts programmed with known dog locations so carriers receive warnings approaching particular addresses.
Coquillette asked residents to keep dogs secured when carriers are on a route and described several practical steps: allow carriers to place mail or packages and step back before opening doors, avoid approaching carriers while holding a pet, and keep dogs contained when carriers are expected at an address.
On staffing and recruitment, Coquillette said the Postal Service will staff an information tent at a July 26 event the transcript identified as “Noahfest” and encouraged people interested in postal careers to stop by. “If you're interested in coming to work at the United States Postal Service, stop by our tent and get the information,” he said, adding that opportunities are available across the state and nationwide.
Coquillette, a postal employee for 26 years, described rising through carrier and supervisory roles in multiple states and said he values long employee tenure: he related an anecdote about a clerk with over 40 years of service who had not called in sick. “It's been 20 years for me since I've called out for a sick day,” he said.
The comments aired as part of a TV Tacoma segment in which the host identified the postmaster role and invited viewers to Tacoma Report’s website for further details about city services and events.
Ending: Coquillette said he is “excited to be here” and looks forward to serving Tacoma. The Postal Service’s local safety recommendations and the scheduled job fair were presented as immediate next steps residents can act on to support carrier safety and hiring.
