Encouraged by the prospect of adding staff — and the ability to meet state and federal safety mandates — commissioners from three Jefferson County fire districts are moving toward consolidating into a regional department.
Elected commissioners from Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue, Jefferson County Fire District No. 1, Chimacum, and North Kitsap fire districts agreed at a meeting last week to continue the process to consolidate, a move that would provide cost savings and improved service to residents.
Chimacum and Port Ludlow serve central and eastern Jefferson County, while the North Kitsap district — officially, North Kitsap Fire and Rescue — covers the eastern part of the Kitsap Peninsula, including Kingston, Suquamish and Indianola.
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue is an amalgamation of four Kitsap fire districts.
If the consolidation is accomplished, it won’t create a contiguous district. Poulsbo Fire covers the western half of the upper Kitsap Peninsula, including the area adjacent to the Hood Canal Bridge, and stretches to Port Gamble.
Bill Hansen, Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue commissioner, sees the consolidation providing several benefits to the three districts.
“We’ll be able to increase the level of service and support personnel,” Hansen said. “This is a tough time for rural fire departments because of the federal and state mandates.”