Friday, October 2, 2026
Rising population, a jump in emergency calls and rapid growth near Hawks Prairie are behind Lacey Fire District 3's proposed $98.3 million bond measure.
Fire Chief Jennifer Schmidt laid out the district's case in the second video of an informational series posted on Sunday, July 5, as part of an ongoing effort to inform voters about the need for the bond ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.
Emergency calls have climbed to roughly 18,000 in 2025 from about 12,000 annually a decade ago, Schmidt said.
The fire district now handles more emergency calls annually than any other district in Thurston County.
The fire district's service area had about 100,000 residents in 2020, Schmidt said, a number that reached approximately 110,000 in 2025.
She also cited projections from the Thurston County Regional Planning Council estimating the population could grow to nearly 130,000 by 2045.
"Our plans for capital projects are sized specifically to ensure long-term emergency response capabilities for this growing population, and to avoid asking for smaller amounts multiple times," Schmidt said.
She described Hawks Prairie as an area that has evolved from a primarily residential community into a growing commercial hub. New retail, recreation, entertainment and commercial developments in the pipeline are expected to increase daily emergency calls and place additional demands on the district’s response system.
Only one of the district's five fire stations is located north of Interstate 5 (I-5), Schmidt said, leaving a large, densely populated part of the district with a single station.
In a scenario like a major earthquake, damage to the I-5 overpasses could isolate Hawks Prairie from the rest of the district's emergency resources, she said.
The bond would pay for a new station north of the freeway, along with a move of Station 32 to the Yelm Highway corridor, according to the district's fact sheet on the bond measure. It would also fund a regional training facility and permanent logistics warehouse.
Schmidt said the goal is to add infrastructure north of the freeway before demand outgrows what the district can handle.
"We ensure that there's zero disruption to the rapid response times and high level of service our voters have come to expect and deserve from us," Schmidt said.
Schmidt said the district plans to release additional videos before the general election. More details, including a bond estimate calculator, are available here.
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Tanker1982
I live in the county by Pattison lake so I won’t pay the bill. The fire team on Mullen road are probably my first responders and they are great. It seems right to me, that coverage should expand to support Lacey citizens in a major growth area. Again, I won’t be paying the bill but I think the Chief’s logic is sound.
Tuesday, July 7 Report this
MartyKenney
I’d like to know more about why they want to build a regional training facility during a time when the government should be focusing on financial austerity. Maybe pare back the ask and just go for one station?
Wednesday, July 8 Report this
Positivity
Isn't there already a regional fire training center in the area: https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/fire_department/fire_training_center/index.php
Why would a second one be needed? Why build expensive duplicate infrastructure? If something essential is missing at this facility (and I'm not saying there is a weakness!), pay to build that capacity at the existing training facility. That would be much more efficient and cost effective as well as a more responsible use of limited land resources. I don't think every single jurisdiction needs its very own training facility. It's time to think smarter; think more strategically, especially where lots of public money is involved!.
Wednesday, July 8 Report this
Positivity
Four more thoughts, questions to ask your City leaders, in addition to those asked in my previous comment -
1, Does this bond measure include funding to fully equip the new fire station, the relocated station, and the new storage facility as well as any required land purchases?
2. Does this bond measure and planned new facilities comply with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Capital Facilities Plan?
3. Can the City's budget, based on property taxes, accommodate the increased expenses of additional staff for the new station, etc. or will property taxes need to be increased to pay for the new staff as well?
4. Why does the City need a new training facility; why isn't it using the existing REGIONAL fire training facility?
Wednesday, July 8 Report this
BobJacobs
State law allows local jurisdictions to charge impact fees for new fire facilities to serve growing populations. Impact fees allow "growth to pay for growth" rather than asking current residents to pay for the public facilities needed for new residents. This included fire facilities.
There is no mention of this in this article. Seems like current residents are being asked to shoulder a burden that is not rightly theirs.
Bob Jacobs
Wednesday, July 8 Report this
jimLacey
One thing always stands out in cases like this. One of the biggest drivers in requests for new bonds, taxes etc is that they are needed to pay for expanding services to handle the rapidly growing population. But since existing funding for these services is already based on taxes derived from the population, how is that huge growth in the number of people in the area not also increasing tax revenue?
Wednesday, July 8 Report this
Wesley
This fire department needs to change their name. "Lacey Fire District 3" implies there are at least 3 fire districts in Lacey. Are they actually "Thurston County Fire District 3"?
Friday, July 17 Report this
Wesley
Positivity, the City's got nothing to do with it.
Friday, July 17 Report this