GIG HARBOR, WA — West Pierce County voters will be asked to weigh in on a new bond to support Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One in the August 2, 2022 Primary Election.
A resolution to place the bond on the ballot was approved unanimously by Gig Harbor Fire’s Board of Fire Commissioners earlier this week. Supporters say the facility upgrades funded by the bond will improve community safety for everyday residents, and help protect firefighters as they risk their lives keeping the public safe.
According to the board, Station 51 in Gig Harbor has aged significantly and needs to be fully replaced. Meanwhile, Stations 53 in Fox Island, 57 in Crescent Valley, 58 in Swede Hill and 59 in Artondale all need critical improvements. Some do not meet current ADA standards, others need to be seismically retrofitted to protect against earthquakes, but all need to be fixed to keep the public safe, warns Fire Chief Dennis Doan.
“Call volumes have increased to the point where we need more space for personnel. The Gig Harbor community has grown that much,” Doan said. “Adding space for current and future
staffing will improve our ability to respond to district-wide emergencies.”
Gig Harbor’s community has grown over 16 percent in the last decade, and call volumes are up 37 percent since 2010.
Another big change the agency is pushing for is better training. According to Gig Harbor Fire, the district does not have its own training facility and as a result its firefighters only train with live fire once every three years. If passed, the bond would create a new live fire training facility alongside Swede Hill’s Station 58.
“When you call 911 for a fire? It’s ‘go time’ for you and our people,” said Chief Doan. “We want our firefighters to have as much live fire training as possible. It’s not something you can simulate with a computer program.”
Finally, the bond would also help protect firefighter’s health by installing new decontamination areas to remove soot, hydrocarbons and smoke from firefighting gear. Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, the board says, and adding these features will create a healthier work environment and potentially save lives.
“I may be a fire chief now, but I was a firefighter for most of my professional career. I’ve lost colleagues to work-related illnesses,” said Chief Doan. “We know so much more now about preventing this loss of life compared to when I started. I feel strongly about this issue. I hope the community will recognize the importance of providing a safer work environment for the women and men who serve our community.”
In Washington, changes like these need to be voter-approved, so a bond will be put to the public for the August Primary. If passed, it would last for 20 years and cost the owner of a $500,000 home an estimated $9.90 per month.
For those who need more information about the proposal, Gig Harbor fire has posted a facilities bond summary and update on its website.