Medical Lake has had its own fire department since 1904, but voters could decide next month to eliminate the department and transfer the city’s one fire station to Spokane County Fire District 3.
If a simple majority of voters in both Medical Lake and Fire District 3 approve ballot measure 1 on Aug. 6, Spokane County’s second-oldest fire department will become a thing of the past and Spokane County Fire District 3 will annex the city into its coverage area.
Local fire officials say the change will lead to needed improvements in Medical Lake’s fire district without eliminating the city’s station or opportunities for the city’s longtime all-volunteer crews.
Currently, more than 1 in 4 emergency calls in Medical Lake goes unanswered, according to a fact sheet provided by the city.
“It’s a trend that we’re seeing in the fire service,” Medical Lake Fire Chief Jason Mayfield said of consolidating departments. “Anything in public safety is hugely expensive to operate.”