Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Thurston County for Paramedic Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston County for paramedic services.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston County for paramedic services.
Staff Contact:
Matthew Morris, Fire Chief, 360.753.8466
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
Thurston County, through the offices of Medic One, and the City of Olympia have had an Agreement for paramedic services for over 40 years. This contract reimburses the City for a portion of the costs of providing paramedics 24 hours a day on paramedic unit M-4 on the east side of the City and paramedic unit M-10 on the west side of the City. This Agreement continues a relationship between the City and the County that has served both parties very well.
The Intergovernmental Agreement was negotiated by the Fire Chiefs of the departments providing paramedic services to the system, with Fire Chief Matthew Morris negotiating for the City of Olympia. The Agreement is essentially unchanged from the Agreement that has been in force for the last three years (2023 - 2025), except for authorizing one additional Paramedic position for reimbursement. This new Agreement continues this interagency cooperation through 2028.
In 2025, Medic One will make payments over $3,000,000 to the City of Olympia based on the terms of the Agreement. That amount will slightly increase in 2026 primarily due to increased labor costs.
The City of Tumwater and Thurston County Fire District 3 - Lacey have received similar Agreements involving the same terms as Olympia. All three Agreements will be presented to the Thurston County Emergency Services for their signature.
Climate Analysis:
The impacts of this Agreement have been applied through the climate lens of the Climate Framework. Providing community fire protection and emergency response resources helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced when safe and effective emergency response minimizes the loss of life and property. This Agreement indirectly supports the objectives of the Climate Framework.
Equity Analysis:
Providing fire protection and emergency response resources to the community meets this initiative’s intent by supporting life safety and property conservation for all groups and reducing loss of life and property. Universal protection of life and property is rooted in justness and inherently supports the Equity Framework’s intent.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Community has an interest in ensuring life safety and property conservation and reducing loss of life and property.
Financial Impact:
The Agreement details payments from Thurston County to the City of Olympia for paramedic services. This Agreement is expected to bring over $3,000,000 to the City in revenue for 2026, with increases based on labor costs for the remaining years of the Agreement.
Options:
1. Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Thurston County for paramedic services.
2. Do not approve the Resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement and send back to staff with direction.
3. Approve the Resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement at another time.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement