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1. Why is the City Evaluating the Fire Service Model Now?

Discussions surrounding the various fire service options have been introduced several times over the years. This effort is to help finalize the fire service model. In addition, the City is growing, and with growth comes the need to evaluate service delivery.

2. Will Bothell Fire Department Go Away?

No. This effort has no pre-determined outcomes.  Bothell City Council will make a final determination based on data, analysis, and feedback received. City staff are committed to an objective review and recommendation to the City Council.  

3. Will Public Safety Be Impacted?

No. The safety of Bothell and its community members is the City's highest priority. One of the guideposts of this work is that the outcome will maintain or better the service level for fire and EMS response.

4. Could this Effort Close Fire Stations in Bothell?

No.  Bothell's Fire Stations are situated where they are in order to serve the community and will remain fully operational regardless of the fire service model.

5. What Will the Evaluation Entail?

In order to aid in understanding and deciding on a service model, the impacts of each of the options will be researched and analyzed. The evaluation will include the following considerations and impacts on the City and Bothell community:   

• Taxation/revenues:  Do the taxation rates change and if so, how?  Does the revenue to the city change, and if so, how?  
• Expenditures/cost-of-service:  How does the cost of service change?   
• Public vote and by whom:  Does the option require a vote of the public to authorize or implement, and if so, what jurisdiction?   
• Local identity/local control:   How would the option maintain, reduce, or improve local control or identity?   
• Increased or decreased service level:  Does the level of service to the community change?  If so, is it quantifiable?  
• Personnel:  How would any option impact the personnel involved with fire service?  
• Any impacts to contracting or other contractual obligations:  The city currently has contractual obligations through Fire District #10 and related to buildings and bonds for the fire stations among others, how would the option address or impact these contractual obligations?   
• Any other areas as directed by Council or that rise over the course of the work.  

 

6. What Will Happen to Fire Department Employees?

Should the City elect an option other than retaining our current fire department model, any acceptable alternative would have to adequately accommodate our existing fire department personnel. One of the City’s highest priorities is ensuring the well-being of employees in any alternative model.  

7. What is Regionalization?

Regionalization is when a larger fire agency provides services across multiple jurisdictions and communities.