What is the Eastside Fire & Rescue Interlocal Agency?

In 1999, an alliance was formed under the name of “Eastside Fire & Rescue” or also known as “The Joint Fire Department” encompassing two Fire Protection Districts 10 & 38, plus Cities, North Bend and Issaquah into an Interlocal Agreement.  City of Sammamish would later join this Partnership in 2000.

Who are the Partners in this Agreement?

City of Sammamish would later join the EF&R Partnership in 2000.  Together as one fire and EMS agency (a non-City or non-County private agency), Eastside Fire & Rescue serves Carnation, Issaquah, May Valley, North Bend, Preston, Tiger Mountain, Sammamish and the Wilderness Rim communities.

What is the Service Area?

All in all, the EF&R covers a 191-square mile area with an approximate population of 120,436 residents within an area bordered by larger Cities, such as Renton, Newcastle, Redmond, Duvall and Snoqualmie Pass.  

Currently, EF&R contracts with King County Medic One for Advanced Life Support (Known as “ALS”) calls and their Communications Center operated by NORCOM based out of Bellevue.  

Where are all the Fire Stations Located?

These services are provided by the following Stations:

71:  Downtown Issaquah – 190 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027.  Apparatus:  Engine 71, Aid 71, Tender 71, Battalion 71. Staffed by Career Firefighters.

72:  Issaquah – 1575 NW Maple Street, Issaquah, WA 98027.  Apparatus:  Engine 72, Aid 72 and Brush 662. Staffed by Career Firefighters.

73:  Issaquah Highlands – 1280 NE Park Dr., Issaquah, WA 98027.  Apparatus:  Ladder 73, Ladder 73A (Reserve), Aid 73, Medic 14.  Staffed by:  Career.

74:  Preston – 8641 Preston Fall City Rd. SE, Preston, WA 98050.  Apparatus:  Engine 74, Aid 74, Tender 74. Staffed by Volunteers.

75: West Lake Sammamish – 4225 180th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98008.  Apparatus: Aid 75.  Staffed by Volunteers.

76:  Tiger Mountain – 15132  Tiger Mountain Rd. SE, Issaquah, WA 98027.  Apparatus:  Engine 76, Aid 76.  Staffed by Volunteers.

78:  Coalfield – 16135 SE 113rd Place, Renton, WA 98059.  Apparatus:  Engine 78, Aid 78.  Staffed by Career.

79:  May Valley – 20505 SE 152nd Street, Renton, WA 98059.  Apparatus:  Engine 79, Aid 79.  Staffed by Volunteers.

81:  Sammamish** – 2030 – 212nd Avenue SE, Sammamish, WA 98075.  Apparatus:  Engine 81, A81, Air Unit 81.  Staffed by Career and Volunteers.

82:  Sammamish** – 1851 228th Avenue NE, Sammamish, WA 98074.  Apparatus:  Engine 81, Aid 81, Air Unit 81. Staffed by Career and Volunteers.

83:  Pine Lake** – 3425 Issaquah Pine Lake Rd SE, Issaquah, WA 98027.  Apparatus:  Engine 83, Aid 83, Aid 83A (Reserve).   Staffed by Career and Volunteers.

85:  Carnation – 3600 Tolt Avenue NE, Carnation, WA 98014.  Apparatus:  Engine 85, Aid 85, Rescue 85, Tender 85.  Staffed by Career and Volunteers.

86:  Joy Lake – 10644 East Lake Joy Dr. NE, Duvall, WA.  Apparatus:  Engine 86, Aid 86.  Staffed by Volunteers.  

87:  North Bend – 122 W. Second St., North Bend, WA 98045.  Apparatus:  Ladder 87, Aid 87, Engine 87B, Tender 87 and Medic 3 (Bellevue Medic One). Staffed by Career and Volunteers.

88:  Wilderness Rim – 42804 SE 170th St., North Bend, WA 98045.  Apparatus:  Engine 88, Aid 88.  Staffed by Volunteers.

What Tools Does this Agency Use?

The Fire Agency has a fleet of fifteen (15) engines, four (4) water tenders, five (5) aerial trucks, seventeen (17) rescue/aid units, four (4) command units, one (1)  air unit, one (1) technical rescue vehicle with trailer, one (1) mobile emergency operations communication van and one (1) wildfire brush truck owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. 

Do they provide the same Services as any other Fire Department?

EF&R Partners along with its firefighters provide fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services, special rescue and hazards material incident response.  Special services such as fire code inspection and enforcement, fire code pre-construction building plan review and fire investigation.

Tell us About Their Staffing Levels.

The Fire Agency is made up of five (5) Administrative Chief Officers, three (3) Battalion Chiefs, (120) Career firefighters, 14.5 Administrative Staff, three (3) Mechanics, one (1) Public Education Staff, two (2) Fire Prevention Staff, (61) Volunteer Responders, four (4) Volunteer Chaplains.

How is Funding Established?

Funding for the Fire Agency is received from participating Partners for the purpose of providing fire and EMS.  King County Fire Protection District #10 serves as the employer for all personnel.

How does the Interlocal Agreement impact my City?

The Interlocal Agreement is negotiated every seven years with the latest signed on December 31, 2007, becoming effective from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2014. Here is why this is so important to those whom are so deeply rooted in this issue that impacts the great Citizens of Sammamish and to those firefighters that have been so faithful in protecting their lives and property for many many years.

Here’s what we have been able to uncover through various sources and in speaking with the Eastside Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2878.  We are leaving it up to you to make up your mind and be informed.

City of Sammamish’s Viewpoint.

From a Letter from the City Manager, Ben Yazici to Sammamish City Council dated October 11, 2013 openly begins, “The City of Sammamish has been struggling with fire service issues over the course of many years.  As one of the partners of EF&R, we have expressed concerns about rising cots, governance issues and most importantly, a funding model that in our view leads Sammamish taxpayers to subsidize the other partners.”

The letter goes on to state that the FCS Group was hired in February 2012 evaulate their fire services circumstances as they exist and to identify alternative arrangements.

“All of these issues and ideas have been fully aired in public meetings, televised City Council gatherings, newspaper articles and a thousand formal and informal conversations among all the stakeholders.  This search for a solution has been transparent and open to all who’ve wanted to contribute.” – City Manager, Ben Yazici.

The process began in 2012 when the City selected one Emergency Management Consultant, the FCS Group based out of Redmond, Washington in February.  The Company is known for facilitating government mergers, evaluation organization efficiency, effectiveness and performance, as well as many other services.

On June 5, 2012, The FCS Group and the Technical  Advisory Board presented their findings to the City Council with a comparison of costs and benefits associated with four (4) options: 1- continuation with the EF&R partnership, 2- contracting with EF&R, 3- contracting with a different fire service provider and 4- starting a City of Sammamish Fire Department.

June 18, 2012, The City adopted “R2012-498” a resolution authorizing the City Manager to work with the City Council and their EF&R partners to revise the Interlocal Agreement so the results would have a more favorable outcome based upon paying their fair share.  If the Funding Model could not be revised or changed by September 17, 2012, then the City Manager was authorized to pursue negotiations for a contract with EF&R or with City of Redmond or create a City Fire Department or pursue other alternatives as they were available.

The City Manager states that City of Sammamish pays 62% of the cost of the Klahanie Fire Station and only receives 30% of the calls for fire service.  City Manager, Ben Yacizi also claims that he proposed to pay 50% of the assessed valuation and 50% calls for service standard and keeping 100% assessed valuation.  They claim it would have saved the City $300k per year, but the proposal was rejected by EF&R Partners.

September 13, 2012 – It was stated that the EF&R Board had voted to establish a Task Force per the Interlocal Agreement with representation (Elected/Staff) from each Partner to perform a review of the funding and service delivery and make any recommendations for changes. The Task Force will provide updates at regular Board of Director’s meeting with findings/recommendations prior to the May 2013 regular Board of Meeting.

September 17, 2012 – The City Council voted to authorize their City Manager to continually work with EF&R Partners until July 1, 2013 to review the Interlocal Agreement to achieve 1- Governance, 2- Funding Formula and 3- A service delivery model that fully addresses the concerns raied in the Consultant’s and Technical Advisory Board’s reports.

Key points:

1 – Funding model for operations including a 50/50 split between assessed value & calls for service as an integral par of the Interlocal Agreement.

2 – Retention of existing veto powers.

3 – Crediting EMS levy collections attributable to each Partner as a part of their individual operating fund collection.

4 – Base the Equipment / Facilities Reserve  Fund contributions on usage.

5 – Retention of City ownership of capital assets with Building Maintenance responsibilities retained by the City.

6 – 18 month notice of termination.

February 2013. One year later.  The City was told by EF&R, that staff had computed the impact of the plan on Partner Contributions. They were told that a 75/25 split would reduce Sammamish’s Partner contribution by $445,711 in 2013.

February 26, 2013. The City claims they received a report from EF&R that if there would be a reduction of $544,787 to Issaquah’s 2013 Partner Contribution, if Sammamish were to withdraw from EF&R.

July 15, 2013. The FCS Group presented a preliminary estimate of costs associated with the City starting its own Fire Department.

August 2013 – October 2013.  EF&R began facilitating meetings.  City Council and City Staff participated in series of meetings with EF&R partners.

October 10, 2013.  The City of Sammamish states they are still waiting to hear from the representative whom volunteered to discuss the 75/25 plan with the City of Issaquah.

From the Fire Fighters’ Union Side.

According to the Fire Fighters Union they have not even been given Consultant’s report until 6pm on Friday evening.  Several requests were repeatedly asked of from the City Manager.

 “All we ask is for clear communication from the City and reasons why the City of Sammamish would wish to exit the Interlocal Agreement.  It was stated that the City Manager will be making a proposal based upon a consultant’s report that it would be less expensive to exit the Agreement and starting their own Fire Department without explanation or providing the facts they are basing their information upon. We ask for government transparency.” – IAFF Union President Jon Wiseman

Next Step the City will be Taking.

The City of Sammamish will hold a regular Council meeting on Monday, October 14, 2013, at 6:30pm but after the meeting, the Council is due to hold a “study session” discussing the FCS Group’s and Technical Advisory Board’s findings. At that time, The City Manager will provide them with his carefully considered recommendation.

At the November 5th City Council Meeting, they will be asked to issue a decision regarding the future of fire services in Sammamish.

“I’m confident, given your history of prudence, and your insistence on weighing all available perspectives, that your ultimate decision will serve our Community well.” – City of Sammamish City Manager Ben Yacizi

This is definitely a hot issue for the City of Sammamish, it’s residents and the Fire Service that vows to fight to the very end.

– Story by LR Swenson

(c) 2013 The NW Fire Blog

** Fire Stations inside City of Sammamish limits. **