The Arlington Fire Department has now officially been annexed into the North County Fire and EMS Regional Fire Authority.
Rather than being managed and paid for by the city of Arlington, fire services in the city will be operated by North County Fire and EMS Regional Fire Authority, which also covers areas northwest of Arlington's city limits and areas around Stanwood.
Voters approved the merger in February during a special election where 89.33 percent of voters approved the measure.
The annexation became official and complete on Aug. 1. No changes to staffing or the available fire stations have been made.
“We have a minimum staffing of 14 now, with additional staff above and beyond that for busy times,” said North County Fire and EMS Chief John Cermak.