The City Council approved a new interlocal agreement (ILA) last week that promotes seamless emergency response among fire departments throughout King County. The ILA’s intent is that the closest available emergency response units will respond to 911 calls, regardless of fire department jurisdiction. It significantly enhances the Mercer Island Fire Department’s current “mutual aid agreement” that mainly brings help from the City of Bellevue. A primary benefit for Mercer Island will be the ability to call on help from the City of Seattle, which previously required its firefighters to obtain permission to travel outside city limits.