Stanwood fire department is ready to ‘clean house’

STANWOOD — The fire department here is asking voters to approve a change in how it’s governed.

That involves purging government bodies that exist on paper but not in practice.

The North County Regional Fire Authority combined two former fire districts in 2008. State law required the new agency to continue keeping separate records and holding separate meetings for both districts, Fire Chief John Cermak said.

The laws since have changed, but the two former fire districts can’t officially be dissolved without a vote.

“There’s not a cost to it,” the chief said. “It just makes sense to do.”

The old statute is why the fire authority has six commissioners — three have to be elected from each district. The requirement for “dual meetings” sometimes translates to “one-minute meetings” to keep in line with the law, the chief said.

The proposed change would not affect the city of Stanwood, which contracts with the fire authority for service, Cermak said. It also won’t impact how the fire authority collects property taxes.

“It’s strictly a housecleaning item,” he said. “It’s going to reduce duplication and allow us to be more efficient.”

The measure is set to be included on the primary ballot in August. The fire authority is seeking volunteers to work on the pro and con statements for the voter pamphlets. The deadline for that work is Friday.

If the change is approved, the agency would move toward having an odd number of commissioners, likely five or seven, the chief said. Most public agencies configure their boards that way to avoid tied votes.

The fire authority employs 25 full-time firefighters, plus part-time and volunteer crews. They serve about 25,000 people living in 105 square miles north of Lakewood and Arlington, including Warm Beach.

The agency has been rife with change in recent months. Last year, former chief Dale Fulfs retired, two commissioners died and another commissioner resigned.

Cermak started the job in December. The fire authority also has launched a Facebook account, “North County Fire/EMS.”

Another ballot measure is planned for the fall, asking voters to approve the emergency medical services levy to become permanent, rather than requiring a renewal every six years.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

The North County Regional Fire Authority, based in Stanwood, is seeking volunteers to help with pro and con statements for a ballot measure regarding the agency’s governance structure. The work must wrap up by Friday to make the August ballot.

More info: jcermak@northcountyfireems.com, 360-629-2184.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.