SETFA invites residents to meeting on long-term service needs

Rising emergency calls, aging fire stations and outdated engines are creating growing pressures on emergency response in the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority (SETFA) service area, a recent news release from the SETFA Board of Fire Commissioners stated.

To begin a public discussion about these conditions and possible long-term solutions, the SETFA Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a public meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Station 21, located at 709 Mill Road. SE in Yelm.

The meeting is open to the public, and community input is encouraged. No decisions will be made at the meeting, according to the release.
SETFA responds to more than 4,000 emergency calls each year, a number that has steadily increased as the community has grown. The fire stations and apparatus were built or purchased decades ago, and major facility upgrades have not occurred in more than 30 years.

As a result, many stations and engines no longer fully meet modern operational, safety or staffing needs. Aging facilities can limit the ability to house firefighters on a 24-hour basis and conduct required training locally, while older apparatus require more frequent repairs and are increasingly costly to keep in service.

“These are long-term challenges that require thoughtful planning,” Fire Chief Mark King said. “This meeting is about sharing information, listening to the community and beginning a transparent conversation about how we continue to provide reliable fire and emergency medical services as demands increase.”

Meeting information and updates are available at www.sethurstonfire.org. Residents with questions may contact SETFA by calling 360-458-2799 or by emailing info@setfa.org.