City manager authorized to seek regional fire services proposals

Published 3:30 pm Thursday, April 6, 2023

On the heels of Mercer Island City Manager Jessi Bon’s recent recommendation letter to the community, city council authorized and directed Bon at its April 4 regular meeting to seek proposals for a regional fire services model.

Following a 5-2 vote in favor of the action, Bon issued a request for proposals (RFP) to the city of Bellevue and Eastside Fire & Rescue the following day with a deadline for submittal of proposals set for 4 p.m. on May 3.

“I want to remind you that your action tonight, your support of my request, is authorizing me to seek proposals. It does not commit the city to an outcome,” said Bon, adding that the RFP asks the agencies to provide both fire and emergency medical services on Mercer Island.

In her letter, which the Reporter wrote about last issue, Bon said that in order to maintain service demand, most adjacent communities have rolled out the regional model, in which a larger, integrated fire agency provides comprehensive fire services across multiple communities. If the city goes the regional route, it will cease to own or run its own fire department, said Bon, who added that stations 91 and 92 would remain open and staffed and the city commits to meet or exceed current service levels.

“I want to reassure you (council) and the community that safety remains absolutely our top priority. No changes would be made under any future scenarios that would adversely affect safety,” Bon said. “I personally believe and professionally believe that adopting a regional fire services model will provide opportunities for a more cohesive, efficient and cost-effective fire service on Mercer Island.”

If the transition to a regional model occurs, residents’ taxes would not be impacted, Bon said.

At the meeting, councilmembers Craig Reynolds and Ted Weinberg cast the two dissenting votes, citing concerns regarding local control, improved safety, station staffing and cost reductions.

Councilmember Lisa Anderl feels it’s council’s obligation to delve into the proposal: “I think we should just think about the potential opportunities for our firefighters in a bigger organization. I think that that enhances the ability to attract and retain good staff.”

Bon feels she’s had constructive conversations with Mercer Island Fire Department staff and the head of the Island’s International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1762 about any uncertainty that might come with the proposal. In her letter, Bon said that impacts of the potential transition on local personnel will be bargained with IAFF Local 1762.

The Reporter reached out to IAFF Local 1762, which chose not to provide a comment at this time.

“Our fire department is very visible in our community and participates in our special events and we would anticipate that would continue,” Bon said of the “small but very mighty” staff.

For almost two years, the city has implemented a regional fire services leadership model that features Eastside Fire & Rescue’s Ben Lane serving as Mercer Island’s interim fire chief and that agency’s Doug McDonald serving as the Island’s interim deputy fire chief. Lane is a full-timer at the Eastside agency and works 10-15 hours per week on the Island and McDonald works full time locally.

Bon said the city saves about $100,000 a year under that leadership structure, which would remain intact if the regional model comes into play.

In the operating budget realm, the Mercer Island Fire Department’s numbers stand at $7.5 million for 2023 and $7.9 million for 2024 and covers the cost of administration, operations, community risk reduction and training.

For more information on the proposal, visit https://letstalk.mercergov.org/consideration-of-a-regional-fire-services-model.