City Finalizes Eastside Fire & Rescue Agreement

The City of Mercer Island has received final approval on an agreement with Eastside Fire & Rescue to provide its fire and emergency services, beginning on January 1, 2024. The decision follows direction from Mercer Island City Council this April to shift to a regional fire services model in order to best serve Mercer Island residents.

Eastside Fire & Rescue was selected as part of a months-long process where the City Council and City leadership thoroughly examined and evaluated proposals for regional fire services, ultimately identifying Eastside Fire & Rescue as the agency that best meets the needs of Mercer Island. This process included discussions with Mercer Island Local IAFF Local 1762, the union representing Mercer Island Fire Department (MIFD) fire staff.

Under this new arrangement, Eastside Fire & Rescue will maintain or enhance current service levels while balancing the shared responsibility for long-term, cost-effective fire and emergency medical service delivery.

“Eastside Fire & Rescue has been providing fire and emergency services through a collaborative shared-governance model for over two decades,” Mercer Island City Manager Jessi Bon said in a letter to the community published today. “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.”

The City of Mercer Island will retain control of service levels for fire services provided on Mercer Island, and both fire stations will remain open with the same level of service. The transition to Eastside Fire & Rescue will begin in August with the formation of a transition committee comprised of staff from both organizations.

“Our MIFD personnel are dedicated and critical members of our community and joining a larger agency like Eastside Fire & Rescue means access to expanded resources, improved equipment, and wider opportunities for training and career growth,” Mercer Island Mayor Salim Nice, said. “I hope all Islanders rest easy knowing that this shift allows a small city like Mercer Island to be able to deliver the highest level of service on a long horizon, and I have every confidence that Eastside Fire & Rescue is going to be a long-term partner that will deliver on that, and then some.”

Eastside Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Ben Lane, who has served as Interim Fire Chief for Mercer Island since November 2020, will continue in his role, along with Interim Deputy Fire Chief Doug McDonald.

"Over the last two years Deputy Chief McDonald and I have had the privilege of serving Mercer Island," Chief Lane said. “I am confident the regional fire service model will bring efficiencies to both organizations, create opportunities for employees and continue to enhance our mission of Excellence in Service, Dedication to Community.”

To learn more about this transition and the process that led to it, review the full Let's Talk page.