The City of Everett and Snohomish County Fire District 4, which serves the City of Snohomish and surrounding unincorporated areas, have formed a planning committee to explore a new Regional Fire Authority (RFA).
An RFA is a special purpose district established by voters in a service area that provides funding for fire and emergency medical services (EMS). An RFA is a way for cities and fire districts to gain service efficiencies through consolidation while retaining local control.
The exploratory phase of RFA formation included a series of public meetings held in April. Both parties hope to have a decision made by June on whether or not to continue to the next phase.
To explore and potentially propose to the elected leadership of Snohomish County Fire District #4 and the City of Everett, a plan (“Plan”) for a regional fire authority encompassing the entire territory within the jurisdictional boundaries of the two agencies, including the proposed governance, design, financing and development of fire protection and emergency service facilities and operations, including maintenance and preservation of facilities or systems, all as authorized by Ch. 52.26 RCW. The Planning Committee is advisory to the Boards of Commissioners of Fire Districts #4 and the Mayor and Council of the City of Everett.