The SeaTac Fire Department officially joined the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority on Thursday under a 20-year contract.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The contract completes a consolidation process, which began in 2011. At that time, an inter-local agreement between the SeaTac Fire Department and Kent Fire Department RFA provided the following services to the City of SeaTac:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Chief Administration
\u2022\u00a0Emergency Management
\u2022\u00a0Fire Prevention
\u2022\u00a0Fire Investigation
\u2022\u00a0Training<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Beginning this year, all emergency services are included in the contract, including emergency response.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The combined fire department will operate under the name Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority. Personnel will wear Kent Fire Department RFA uniforms, though all emergency apparatus will keep their current logos on them. The new department will protect approximately 50 square miles, including the cities of Kent, SeaTac, Covington, and King County Fire District 37 with 11 fire stations and over 200 firefighters.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
What changes can the residents and businesses expect beginning in 2014? On a day-to-day basis, there will be very little change. The public can still expect the same quick and professional emergency services that they have had in the past.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Both departments are self-funding.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
There are several advantages to a contract for both the SeaTac and Kent Fire Departments:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Both departments become more efficient as they operate under one administration, eliminating redundant services.
\u2022\u00a0Cost savings through economies of scale.
\u2022\u00a0Standardized training and emergency response.
\u2022\u00a0Consolidation of specialized skills such as high angle rescue and hazardous materials response.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n