Olympia and Tumwater discussed some final steps in institutionalizing the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) yesterday, which would merge the two cities’ fire departments.
During the RFA committee meeting on Jan. 25, 2022, council members, union representatives, and the fire chiefs of Olympia and Tumwater raised the concerns of employees and firefighters on the changes they will face during the transition period.
“I want to make sure that our labor group is taken care of and [that] they are well represented in this process. I also want to make sure that we’ll have discussions about what service levels will look like in the future compared to now,” said Olympia’s Fire Chief Mark John.
John said he is looking forward to the possible opportunities and the sustainability that an RFA can offer.
Sharing the same sentiment, Tumwater’s Fire Chief Brian Hurley emphasized that the views and opinions of the fire departments’ employees should matter in future agreements. “I’m excited to get this process underway… I am concerned about our employees and how they view this process,” Hurley said.
Tumwater’s Fire Department union representative said the fire locals have already discussed how to treat each other fairly regarding job assignments, accumulated benefits, and other language between the fire departments.
Since the two cities have different rank structures, the union representatives explained that they still need further discussions to strengthen and formalize their rank certifications and lists for promotions.
Union representatives from the two cities said they will finalize the interlocal agreements and other merging documents by March this year. Talks between the fire departments’ locals started in 2019.
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