City Considers Safety Levy For Fire Needs

Old photo

At the June 18 Council Committee meeting Fire Chief Tommy Smith noted 1992 was the date of the last Fire Master Plan and it is time for a new one.  In the early '90's there was no code for sprinklers and multi-family housing stock was smaller in size and numbers than today.  In addition, the population of the city has grown exponentially and there's a need for more stations.  The Chief noted Fire Station 12 is inadequate since it services the burgeoning Overlake urban center, Grasslawn, Rose Hill, and Viewpoint neighborhoods. Adoption of the plan is expected by 2020.

Of significance to the public, the city is considering a public safety tax levy; and considering which developments will be subject to impact fees. (With Sound Transit taxes, school bond taxes, a potential public hospital tax and State Park levy, State tax increases, and now this, many residents are facing tax fatigue & pain.)

Up next, the Fire Marshall described their two alarm response to the recent multi-family apartment fire near the Redmond Elementary School.  The subject building has four attached sets of four units. Five of the units burned; three residents had minor injuries. The units were hosed with 15,000 gallons of water. The building was old and had no fire sprinklers or alarms. (Sprinklers weren't required by the city until 2007.)  A good Samaritan notified Fire and alerted the residents.  According to the Deputy Fire Chief, response time was 6 minutes.  The Fire Marshal noted 1042 multi-family units in the city have no sprinklers.  The Department takes proactive safety measures in these buildings to prepare for possible fires. 

-- Bob Yoder

Source:  Safety, Council Committee Of The Whole, 6/18
              Councilmember Steve Fields presiding officer