Stanwood outsources fire, EMS operations

STANWOOD — Starting April 1, the North County Regional Fire Authority will provide fire and emergency medical services in Stanwood city limits.

Stanwood signed a contract with the fire authority earlier this month. The contract goes through 2031, because the city wanted a long-term agreement.

Stanwood will pay roughly $1.2 million a year under the contract, north county fire chief Dale Fulfs said.

The city will be charged $2 for every thousand dollars of property value covered. The bill will be calculated using 2012 property values for the next five years.

City officials have declined a permanent merger with the fire authority.

However, they could change their minds in the next few years, depending on how things go, Mayor Dianne White said.

“We’re doing this because we’re only 6,200 people, and we can’t afford our own fire department, and we want the best for our citizens,” she said.

Since the economy tanked, many communities in Snohomish County have regionalized police and fire services to save money and share resources. There are more talks of mergers and partnerships under way.

For now, the fire authority will rent Stanwood’s Fire Station 99 at 8117 267th St. NW. It also will rent the city’s fire equipment and vehicles.

The fire authority has five years to decide if it wants to buy the equipment, Fulfs said. No major purchases are planned soon.

North county also hired all of Stanwood’s six firefighters.

The signatures on the contract may end some drama that brewed during the six months of negotiations.

Stanwood formerly partnered with Camano Island Fire &Rescue for services. Some had voiced concerns that a contract with the fire authority would force layoffs at Camano and affect service in Stanwood.

Stanwood officials signed the contract only after they felt that all the important issues had been addressed, White said.

“The contract is extremely tightly written so there are performance standards all the way down the line,” she said.

The unions for Stanwood and North County career firefighters merged in 2011, north county union President Eric Ensign said.

The firefighters are excited to participate in community events in Stanwood, including possible fire prevention programs in schools, he said.

“We’re all really excited and happy to finally get it done and start the process of working together,” he said.

North County Regional Fire Authority now serves more than 22,000 people over 109 square miles, including Warm Beach, Freeborn and Bryant.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

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.