City of Tumwater beefs up FDCARES Program 

The City of Tumwater is strengthening its FDCARES Program thanks to a grant from the Association of Washington Cities. 

FDCARES, which stands for Fire Department Community Assistance, Referral and Education Services, is a program that connects individuals to services that go beyond what emergency responders can address. 

The grant would allow the city to turn a part-time specialist role that processes referrals to the program into a full-time position. 

The Tumwater City Council authorized acceptance of a $111,178 grant from the association to cover the expenses related to the promotion. The city council made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Since Tumwater is coordinating with Olympia for the implementation of the program, the council also approved an amendment to an interlocal agreement with Olympia to reflect the changes. 

Under the agreement, Tumwater pays an annual fee to Olympia to manage the program. The fee helps pay for the salary and benefits of a manager and specialist that run the program.  

With the expansion of the part-time specialist into a full-time role, Tumwater’s annual fee would increase to $74,043 in 2025 and $122,500 in 2026. The city may choose to apply for further grant funding to keep the position funded in the coming years, as the amendment also extends the agreement through 2028. 

Tumwater Fire Department Deputy Chief Shawn Crimmins, who briefed the council about the grant, spoke highly of the specialist who will benefit from the full-time role. 

According to him, specialist Ariana Gomez has processed 55 referrals this year, helping people through health support, caregiving services and reduced dependency on 911. 

Crimmins noted that not everyone referred to the program accepts help, but Gomez  has successfully brought about 85% of referrals into the program.