ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Eastside Fire and Rescue wants its Board of Directors to approve a 15% budget increase at its Sept. 10 meeting.
“They gave us a bare-bones budget two years ago,” said Ray Austin, President of IAFF Local 1762. “So we’re way behind as it is and we’re just trying to stay current.”
Austin was among dozens of EFR members who filled council chambers to lay out their case before Issaquah City Council on Tuesday night.
Austin says most representatives on the EFR Board of Directors support its 15% increase, but Issaquah’s rep. has proposed a lower number.
“Issaquah has been advocating for a 10% increase which is not enough,” said Austin.
EFR members shared stories of not making it to calls due to fire trucks breaking down and urged Issaquah’s rep, Issaquah City Councilmember Lindsey Walsh, that this budget increase is needed to keep up with demands.
EFR Firefighter Corentin Morel says calls have shot up 221% since 2019 and it costs $1,272 per emergency call in Issaquah, which he believes is 57% below market rate.
“The city of Issaquah enjoys a champagne level of service on a Coors Light budget,” said Morel.
Austin says any increase below their request of 15% would come at a cost to safety.
“It’s not about saving money; it’s about saving lives. It’s about having all the equipment, people, and resources to respond when somebody calls 911,” said Morel.
Austin says he wants the budget increase voted on at the EFR Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 10, but Councilmember Walsh provided this statement to KIRO 7:
“As the Vice Chair for the Eastside Fire & Rescue Board and an Issaquah City Councilmember, I look forward to a robust conversation at the September 10th meeting about the details presented in this proposed budget. We have been well served as a community by a regional approach to fire and emergency management, including having one of the lowest costs of service across the state. However, on behalf of our taxpayers, we also have real questions about the cost increases proposed in this budget and have to balance those against other commitments from the city.
All that being said, I don’t believe there is a plan to have a vote at the September 10th meeting. My goal is to collect Board questions and feedback so we can have a more effective conversation and potential vote at the October meeting."
Eastside Fire and Rescue provided the following statement about the meeting:
“Eastside Fire and Rescue (EF&R), like almost all public agencies, is facing significant budget challenges. The budget proposed by the EF&R administration works to address persistent challenges associated with historical funding shortfalls, equipment replacement, and staffing shortages. This budget cycle is essential to the health of the communities we serve because it sets priorities, allocates resources, and provides the framework for EF&R operations. EF&R funding depends on decisions by the eight-member Board of Directors. Presentation and discussion of the equipment replacement fund, capital facilities maintenance fund, and operational budget will take place at the next Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 10th at 4:00 p.m.”