Tumwater to extend contracts with Medic One, State Patrol

Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee recommended the extension of the city’s contracts with Medic One and Washington State Patrol (WSP) on Tuesday, March 12.

The Medic One agreement provides the city with financial resources for basic life support services.

Fire Chief Brian Hurley told the committee that the city received $55,000 last year from Medic One through the arrangement. Previous funding was used to purchase equipment like rescue struts and a hydraulic tool called Jaws of Life.

The funding also goes towards supporting training programs. Hurley said that emergency medical technicians and paramedics must complete a certain amount of continuing education units each year, so the funding helps pay for overtime compensation to complete the training.

The current contract, signed in 2020, is still valid until 2025, but Medic One requires the city to acknowledge the automatic renewal of the agreement through a letter once every year.

State patrol agreement

The WSP agreement, which will run through 2029, reimburses the city for costs incurred when its assets are mobilized under the state’s fire mobilization plan.

The mobilization plan provides a mechanism for fire departments to respond to fire incidents, primarily wildfires and other large-scale events.

Hurley noted that the city has yet to participate in these mobilizations due to staffing limitations, especially since personnel may be deployed for more than a week.

Both agreements will be forwarded to the city council as a consent item at its March 19 meeting.