A Message From City Manager Jessi Bon on Moving Forward With Eastside Fire & Rescue

Since April, the City of Mercer Island has been providing updates to residents and businesses on the potential adoption of a regional fire services model aimed at strengthening our community’s emergency services for the long-term, and in June, the City Council directed my office to begin negotiating an agreement with Eastside Fire & Rescue.

Now, following the City Council’s July 5 resolution and the Eastside Fire & Rescue Board’s approval on July 13, we have formally entered into an agreement with Eastside Fire & Rescue for fire and emergency medical services. We will now work collaboratively to transition operations and administration in preparation for the January 1, 2024 start date.

Eastside Fire & Rescue has been providing fire and emergency services through a collaborative shared-governance model for over two decades. Their dedication has been proven here on Mercer Island, as we’ve partnered with Eastside Fire & Rescue for interim fire leadership since 2021. From increased efficiency and resources to enhanced services, I know that they will continue to serve the Mercer Island community and our firefighters well in a long-term capacity.

I also want to acknowledge the hard work IAFF Local 1762 has put into implementing this transition. We have met with IAFF Local 1762 leadership members over the past two months with positive and productive conversations to bargain the impacts of fire employees transitioning to another agency.

Eastside Fire & Rescue will officially begin as Mercer Island’s provider of fire and emergency medical services on January 1, 2024 and will be contracted through December 31, 2033. A transition committee comprised of Mercer Island and Eastside Fire & Rescue staff will focus on ensuring a smooth, efficient, and seamless transition in services.

We truly appreciate your engagement as we’ve moved through this process, and thank the many Islanders who provided input, asked questions, and shared feedback. We encourage you to stay informed through our Let’s Talk page as this transition now takes place.

Thank you,
Jessi Bon
Mercer Island City Manager