Fire, emergency service merge discussed

The Milton City Council discussed the future of the city’s fire and emergency medical services on June 8. The council focused on future consolidation of these services, which would aim to cut costs while maintaining quality.

Connie Fessler, Milton’s interim administrator, said consolidation is a growing trend for fire districts, especially in small towns.

“It’s really part of a larger trend we see taking place in the country,” Fessler said. “We need to provide emergency services to the residents of the city, so it’s prudent to take advantage of any offers to consolidate.”

In the past, the council has discussed a number of proposals to consolidate or partner with neighboring fire districts. But recently, the need to provide advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical services has put pressure on the council to make a quicker decision. Council members did not seem surprised by the urgency of the issue. Councilmember Mark Beaudry assumed a merger would happen someday soon.

“Everyone agreed it’s going to happen,” Beaudry said. “It doesn’t really matter what district we merge with, it’s just going to happen sooner or later.”

Milton Fire Chief James Jaques said the current surrounding fire agencies only provide basic life support (BLS) service, and rely upon East Pierce Fire District to provide ALS response. The city also depends on private ambulance companies for transports. The main difference between these two types of services is ALS allows emergency personnel to administer medication and drugs to patients, if necessary. BLS personnel are unable to offer that service.

“The more we can collaborate, the less expensive it’s going to be for us,” Jaques said.  

Three residents living in the Heather Hills Retirement Community, located on the King County side of Milton, said they fully support any effort to keep emergency services in the city.

“Living in a retirement community, we see the fire department and paramedics a lot,” said Carol Flower, 78. “This service is very important and we want to back the city any way we can.”

Fellow residents Paula Gierke, 63, and Fred Horton, 58, agreed with Flower.

“There is a big need in this community for these services,” Horton said. “All the (fire) chiefs have a great working relationship. I hope the city can come up with something.”

In 2007, Milton voters approved a $.50 per $1,000 assessed value levy for these services. But, it was later determined that Milton was prohibited from levying the full amount, because King County had an established EMS levy at $.30 per $1,000 assessed value. Based on the state’s uniform taxation laws, the city’s levy was reduced to $.20 per $1,000 assessed value. This led to a discussion regarding annexation to Edgewood Fire District, which would enable the provision of ALS and to levy the full $.50 tax to fund the service.

Councilmember Bob Whalen was concerned about equality of taxes.

“The council needs to have a full understanding of what would happen for people in King and Pierce County,” Whalen said. “We need to understand how each portion would pay for the services equally.”

State law was needed to allow cities within two counties to legally annex to a fire district. After a successful lobbying effort by city officials, a bill was passed, which allows for the annexation.

The next step will rely on the voters. If residents approve, the Pierce County portion of the city can be annexed to the Edgewood Fire District. The city would contract with the district for services to residents living in the King County portion.

Jaques said when the council reaches a final decision on a fire district to consolidate with, Milton voters would still have input and control over what happens to the city’s fire department.

“It might be a smaller voice, but the people will still have a say in what happens,” Jaques assured the council.

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