Lynnwood and Mukilteo may share more emergency services

Last year, Lynnwood and Mukilteo began sharing their emergency medical services.

The two cities are so happy with the results, they’re talking about more sharing between the fire departments.

“We’re real pleased with the association we have now and sharing of costs,” Lynnwood Fire Chief Gary Olson said. “I think it is good for both communities.”

The cities share the cost of a medical services officer, who oversees the work of paramedics. Before the agreement, neither city alone could afford one, Olson said.

By years’ end, the cities might also share a battalion chief, another position neither city has, Olson said.

“I’m not saying it’s going much further than the discussion phase at this point,” he said.

Mukilteo’s City Council on May 17 agreed to explore broadening the agreement between the departments. Lynnwood’s City Council heard a presentation on the proposal June 7.

The Mukilteo City Council and its fire officials will meet in Mukilteo on June 28 for more in-depth discussions about increasing the number of shared services.

Until last year, Everett provided paramedic services for Mukilteo. Fire Chief Mike Springer said his department has already saved about $50,000 by moving away from Everett to sharing services with Lynnwood and expects to save another $150,000 this year.

He said the 2003 agreement with Everett called for Mukilteo to eventually use its own paramedics. Since then, the city has hired its own paramedics, eliminating the need to continue the contract with Everett.

Springer said Mukilteo’s fire department is evolving. It now has automatic aid agreements with all neighboring fire departments. That means if Springer’s firefighters are the closest to a fire outside the city, they can be dispatched to respond automatically.

In essence, Springer said, Mukilteo’s fire department is entering the firefighting big leagues.

Rather than take on the expense of hiring its own medical services officer, it’s cheaper and more efficient to share one with Lynnwood, he said.

In addition to sharing a medical services officer, the two cities would like to share a battalion chief — the person responsible for coordinating fire crews.

So far, both cities have relied on chiefs or assistant chiefs to handle battalion chief duties.

Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429; ohalpert@heraldnet.com.