Mercer Island City Councilmembers passed a resolution at their July 5 virtual meeting to adopt an interlocal agreement with Eastside Fire & Rescue (EF&R) for regional fire and emergency medical services.
Next up in the agenda bill process, the EF&R board will need to approve the adoption of the 10-year interlocal agreement, which is proposed to commence on Jan. 1, 2024. The reviewal and consideration process will occur at EF&R’s next board meeting that is slated for July 13, according to its website.
“We are excited about this opportunity to enhance services for Mercer Island residents and businesses, reduce costs, and improve resources and opportunities for our firefighters,” City Manager Jessi Bon wrote in a letter to the community on June 30.
Council voted 5-2 in favor of the resolution, with Craig Reynolds and Ted Weinberg casting the two dissenting votes. At council’s June 20 meeting, the pair voted against directing Bon to commence negotiations with EF&R for the regional model citing concerns of control, safety, cost and more time needed for public engagement. The council tally was 5-2 in favor of the motion.
The approving quintet’s pluses for the regional transition were enhanced training to increase safety, adequate staffing with trained personnel, confidence in Bon’s recommendation to further the city’s successful partnership with EF&R and more.
“As always, the best service and highest level of safety for Islanders have remained paramount throughout all of the discussions and negotiations thus far, and that will remain the case,” Bon wrote.
At the July 5 meeting, Bon noted that EF&R possesses an effective model concerning public safety, resource sharing and shared governance, and the city could save an estimated $260,000 through shared leadership, fire-apparatus management, efficient shift scheduling and more in 2024 by embracing a regional model.
On the city administration’s recent productive and positive meetings with Mercer Island’s International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1762 leadership members to bargain the impacts of local fire employees transitioning to another agency, Bon added: “Agreement on the terms of impact bargaining have not concluded. The city administration will continue to work in good faith to resolve the outstanding issues.”
In the appearances segment of the meeting, a trio of Island residents — Dan Winder, Catherine Winder and Meridith Tall — voiced concerns regarding surrendering administrative control and a lack of public discussion, and there was a suggestion that the city devise an exit strategy if there’s a drop in services.
Bon said the city remains committed to displaying transparency throughout the regional fire services procedure and encourages residents to submit feedback at: https://tinyurl.com/2p96h3nm
