YAKIMA, Wash. – Yakima Valley Emergency Management (YVEM) was awarded Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant on Wednesday, receiving $7,931.50 in funding.

YVEM announced that it will use the funds to equip its Mass Casualty Incident emergency response vehicle with 10 “Level III hard armor plates.”

Amber Merrill, Community Relations Manager at Gesa Credit Union, expressed pride in supporting local heroes.

“At Gesa, we are honored to support the Local Heroes who continue to make a positive difference in our communities,” Merrill said. “Organizations like Yakima Valley Emergency Management bring that mission to life through dedicated service that makes a direct impact where it’s needed most.”

The Local Heroes Grant Program awarded 52 organizations in 2025, totaling more than half a millio

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