Fire personnel stationed at the Lake Serene facility in South Snohomish County have inhabited the building for over half a century, long after it was originally designed solely as a hub for volunteer crews who would commute from their own residences. Today, three career firefighters reside on-site in cramped conditions, having converted an open area into sleeping quarters using basic framing and drywall. The shared space also contains heavy equipment and fitness gear within the apparatus bay, a setup that exposes the crew to elevated levels of airborne carcinogens.

South County Fire Capt. Derek Roberts described the logistical struggle of the layout, noting that the constant rearranging of heavy gear to access other items is burdensome. He emphasized that the structure was not intended to accommodate permanent residents. This situation is not an isolated incident; a separate engineering review determined that approximately two-thirds of the district’s facilities require significant upgrades or complete reconstruction. Many of these sites fail to meet current state safety standards, and nearly half would likely become unusable following a severe seismic event.

Voters across south Snohomish County will vote on November 3 regarding a $420 million bond measure designed to finance these necessary repairs. The proposal also includes funding for four additional stations intended to address service gaps as call volumes rise. For the typical homeowner with a property valued at $700,000, the measure would add an estimated $136 to annual property taxes. The fire authority provides an online tool to calculate individual tax impacts, while the county offers specific exemptions for senior citizens and residents with disabilities.

The debt is structured over a 27-year period, with the interest rate expected to remain stable throughout that duration. If approved, the bond will facilitate the complete replacement of six existing stations, including the Lake Serene site, as well as facilities in Silver Firs, Esperance, Mill Creek, and Blue Ridge in Lynnwood. Chief Shaughn Maxwell indicated that temporary facilities would be utilized during construction to maintain consistent service levels.

Construction has already begun on the replacement and relocation of Station 22, formerly known as the Hilltop station. Although this project is part of the broader bond package, the board of commissioners authorized early construction due to the building’s critical condition. The project is currently being paid for with reserve funds, which the bond measure is set to reimburse.

Renovations are also planned for the Mariner, Lynnwood Civic Center, Edmonds Downtown, and Mountlake Terrace stations. Additionally, the bond will support upgrades and expansions at the fire authority’s headquarters in Everett. The capital facilities plan schedules these construction projects to be spread over a decade, with the final station expected to be completed in 2036.

Inside the living quarters at Station 23, the phrase "breathe deeply" is inscribed above the entrance. A firefighter reportedly wrote the message in the soot left by a nearby diesel water heater more than ten years ago.

Diesel fumes from the apparatus bay are leading directly toward personnel who are tasked with protecting the public, Roberts said.

Veley, a public information officer for South County Fire, stated that diesel is kept out of the bay by a ventilation system, though some traces inevitably enter when the doors open. Diesel is a known carcinogen, and the International Association of Fire Fighters identifies occupational cancer as the primary cause of line-of-duty fatalities. Because workout equipment is located in the apparatus bay, firefighters frequently inhale that air.

Maxwell stated that the first 20 minutes of a fire involve exertion beyond normal limits, making peak physical fitness critical for responders. He noted that while benzene in diesel causes cancer, particulates enter the area where personnel are attempting to maximize their health.

Veley noted that space is a primary concern for many stations included in the bond measure. Numerous apparatus bays lack sufficient width to satisfy state requirements regarding the space needed to enter an engine. Many stations also fail to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements or current state energy codes.

The majority of these fire stations were constructed when southwest Snohomish County was much smaller and less populated, according to Veley. Response needs were different at that time, and the risks associated with carcinogens like diesel exhaust were not as well understood. Current knowledge has advanced significantly.

State regulations also require clothing to be stored in a ventilated room protected from UV light. Apparatus bays satisfy neither requirement, and several stations store gear in these areas. At Station 23, the gear extractor used to clean soot and hazardous materials from gear is positioned next to standard laundry machines, creating a cross-contamination concern.

Planned upgrades would also address living quarters, kitchens, and bathrooms, many of which are outdated or undersized.

South County Fire began planning station improvements in 2016, but the process halted when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. The fire authority reports that costs are projected to rise by 5% for every year the project waits.

Fire departments operate 100-year-old and 50-year-old stations, Roberts said. If structures are built now at current prices, they can continue serving the area 50 years from now. Roberts stated this is the type of foresight represented by the bond measure.

Over the past decade, South County Fire has experienced a 30% rise in calls. Traffic volume has also increased during this period, according to Veley.

Veley stated that the goal is at minimum to maintain response times with additional stations, noting that call volume continues to rise with no indication of decreasing.

Four New Stations Proposed

The planned locations for the four proposed stations are intended to reduce response times within the district's most heavily trafficked areas, according to South County Fire officials. Land acquisition for two of these facilities is already underway. One site is situated on Manor Way near Lake Stickney, while another is designated for the intersection of 170th Street Southwest and Alderwood Mall Parkway. The department currently holds vacant parcels at both of these addresses.

Additional facilities are proposed for the vicinity of Swedish Edmonds and for Cascadian Way near 146th Street Southeast in Martha Lake. These specific locations remain preliminary estimates; land acquisition will not begin unless voters approve the bond measure. Funding for fire trucks and equipment needed at these new stations is included in the bond package.

Officials stated that virtually every community served by South County Fire would be affected by this measure. The planning process aims to address the long-term needs of the entire service area, with the goal of supporting emergency services for the next three decades and beyond. The objective is to ensure the department can maintain current service levels for the future.

The bond measure requires 60% voter approval on November 3 to be enacted. Should the measure fail, the board of commissioners will need to determine an alternative course of action. This proposal presents the department's operational requirements to the public, leaving the ultimate decision regarding the replacements and upgrades to the voters.

Correction

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the four new stations would be strategically placed to increase response times. South County Fire aims to decrease response times and improve service through the construction of these new stations.