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Home My WebLink AboutRFA 2015-03-11 Item 6 - History of Investigation Fire Service Change MemorandumTO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: aYl MEMORANDUM 2015 Fire Service Steering Committee Moira Bradshaw, Project Manager April 13, 2015 History of Investigations into Fire Service Change Fire Services Review Jim Hagg rton, Mayor In 2010, the City of Tukwila began exploring alternative structures for the provision of fire supression and emergency services. Many Washington State communities have pursued consolidation as a more cost - effective way to deliver these services. This has been accomplished primarily through fire district annexations, interlocal agreements, and through formation of or annexation to Regional Fire Authorities (RFAs). Consolidation can result in lowered costs due to economies of scale obtained by reducing the duplication of facilities, equipment and other operational expenses. Additionally, a dedicated funding source associated with an RFA has the potential to free up revenue capacity for member jurisdictions without detriment to existing levels of service. In June of 2010, the City Council formally authorized the exploration of alternatives for the provision of fire and life safety services in Tukwila. Fire Exploratory Committee (July- November 2010): The FE Committee was tasked with the research and analysis of three specific options: 1) Creation of a new RFA; 2) Joining the Kent RFA; 3) Remaining a Municipal Department. After 13 meetings held between July and November, the Committee reached a unanimous recommendation that the City Council approve the creation of a joint committee with representation from the City of Tukwila and from the Kent RFA to explore consolidation between the two entities. The Committee did not feel the City was ready to obligate itself through a contractual agreement or promise of future partnership, but did feel that further research and deeper insight into the RFA formation process was needed. Joint Fire Exploratory Committee (January 2011 — June 2012) This Committee met three times to explore the feasibility of consolidation between the City of Tukwila and the Kent RFA. In October 2011, the JFE Committee was suspended to allow the City of Tukwila to respond to significant organizational staffing changes. In June of 2012 the JFE Committee was officially ended, without issuing a recommendation, due to the Kent RFA's discussions with the City of SeaTac with regard to contracting all of SeaTac's fire services. Kent RFA did not have the staffing capacity to undertake both processes simultaneously. The JFE Committee recognized the benefits in consolidation of fire service, and indicated a desire to resume the exploratory process once Kent RFA and SeaTac's deliberations reached conclusion. Also of note in 2012 was the entrance of the City of Tukwila into the South King County Training Consortium administered by the Kent RFA. This has proven to date to be a highly successful regional partnership. 2014 Fire Exploratory Committee: The process between the City of SeaTac and the Kent RFA has concluded, and as of January 1, 2014, SeaTac is contracting with Kent RFA for fire and life safety services. On November 12, 2013, Mayor Haggerton announced his intent to reconvene a Fire Exploratory Committee to consider three specific scenarios: 1) Maintain the status quo; 2) Provide services via a contract with a neighboring jurisdiction; 3) Create or join an RFA. While conducting its analysis, the Committee is asked to build upon past efforts as well as to respond to changes that have occurred since 2010. In February, the City sent letters to the Kent RFA, King County Fire Protection District #2 (Burien and Normandy Park), and the City of Renton to gauge their respective interest in exploring options for consolidation at this time. All three responded affirmatively. This represents a change for both Fire District #2 and the City of Renton, as they had declined further exploration when approached with the same question in 2010. The 2014 Fire Exploratory Committee will build on past and current regional efforts to research, evaluate, and provide recommendations regarding options for providing fire and life safety services in Tukwila. The Committee will focus on three scenarios during this review: 1) Status Quo: Maintain the City of Tukwila Fire Department 2) Regional Partnership(s): Provide services via contract or similar agreement with a neighboring jurisdiction 3) Regional Fire Authority: Create or join a Regional Fire Authority (RFA), a special purpose district established by voter approval. Recommendation: This Committee unanimously concluded in September 2014 with a recommendation to the City Council that annexation to the Kent Regional Fire Authority be explored. The Committee believes that it is highly likely that long term sustainability of high quality fire service in the City of Tukwila would be improved by a consolidation effort, and furthermore, that the City of Tukwila should fully explore the feasibility of partnering with the Kent Regional Fire Authority to complete the work that was unfinished in 2010 -2011. They also recognized that maintaining or increasing the service levels of a municipal fire department will remain an ongoing challenge within the taxing authority of the City, and did not find an argument against pursuing an alternative. 2014 Fire Exploratory Committee members • Verna Seal, Councilmember • Kate Kruller, Councilmember • David Cline, City Administrator • Chris Flores, Acting Fire Chief • Peggy McCarthy, Finance Director • Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director • Chuck Woolley, Firefighter • Jim Evans, Firefighter • Dawn Judkins, Firefighter • Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst Phone: 206 -433 -1800 • City Hall Fax 206 - 433-1833 • Website: www. Tukwila Wa.gav TIMELINE February 2010 Council Retreat discussion confirmed interest in exploring options for fire service in Tukwila February 25, 2010 RFA threshold analysis by Finance Directors of Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila June 14, 2010 Presentation to Council regarding Fire Service Options June 21, 2010 Fire Exploratory Committee formed by Council vote July — November 2010 Fire Exploratory Committee met 13 times to review three fire service options: 1) Create a new RFA with adjacent Cities; 2) Join the Kent Regional; 3) Remain as is December 1, 2010 Fire Exploratory Committee issues final recommendation to create a committee with representatives from Tukwila and the Kent RFA to explore opportunities for consolidation December 6, 2010 Joint Fire Exploratory Committee formed by Council vote January — May 2011 Joint Fire Exploratory Committee met 3 times to review feasibility of consolidation October 18, 2011 Meetings suspended due primarily to City staffing changes — City Administrator and Finance Director positions June 2012 Joint Fire Exploratory Committee formally ended due to Kent RFA's discussions with the City of SeaTac regarding contracted service — not possible to participate in both processes November 12, 2013 Mayor Haggerton declares intent to reconvene a Fire Exploratory Committee to review three options: 1) Maintain status quo; 2) Explore regional partnership; 3) Create or join an RFA February 14, 2014 Letters sent to Kent RFA, KCFPD #2 (Burien, Normandy Park) and Renton to gauge interest in discussing partnerships, with all agreeing to meet. April — September 2014 2014 Fire Exploratory Committee met 14 times to review and discuss options September 15, 2014 Committee presents a recommendation to Council that the City explore partnering with Kent RFA in greater detail. Phone: 206 -433 -1800 • City Hall Fax 206 - 433-1833 « Website: www. Tukwila Wa.gov