Title
Fire Regionalization Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Briefing only, no action required.
Report
Issue:
Whether to consider joining the City of Tumwater in an evaluation of a Regional Fire Authority.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, City Manager, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, City Manager
Mark John, Fire Chief
John Doan, City Administrator, City of Tumwater
Brian Hurley, Fire Chief, City of Tumwater
Background and Analysis:
In 2019, the City of Olympia participated with the City of Tumwater and other local Fire Agencies in a study to evaluate options for a Regional Fire Authority (RFA). A copy of the Study is attached.
The study looked at opportunities to improve emergency services in the Olympia and Tumwater communities and explored partnership opportunities to provide these services regionally. Findings from this study, which were presented at an elected officials workshop in November 2019, recommended further exploration of a Regional Fire Authority as Olympia and Tumwater share similar risk profiles, histories, and organizational structures, there may be a potential to control costs and improve service delivery, it would level tax rates across the region, provide greater equity, and leverages individual agency strengths, and minimizes weaknesses.
Staff will provide an overview of the study, and proposed next steps, which would be to engage with the City of Tumwater in an RFA planning process.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
A Regional Fire Authority may provide options to improve fire service delivery in the Olympia and Tumwater communities. An RFA planning process will engage both communities in this evaluation.
Options:
Briefing only, no action required.
Financial Impact:
The cost of moving forward with a Regional Fire Authority planning process is estimated to cost $150,000 (Olympia's share). Funding is available through 2020 Year End Savin...
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