Thurston County eyes three-year contract for paramedic services

Thurston County is poised to renew its Advanced Life Support (ALS) contracts for paramedic services with the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater and Lacey Fire District #3.

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the contract renewal at a board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21. 

County Emergency Services Director Ben Miller Todd briefed the board on the issue at an agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14. He said the county completed “very amicable” negotiations with the three contract partners for the 2026–28 term. He said the existing ALS setup would hold its current format, but would raise allocations for paramedic instruction and open a training officer post starting in 2027. 

Miller Todd said the three-year ALS contract costs would rise by $225,000 in 2026, $436,000 in 2027 and $615,000 in 2028. He noted the increases translate to 1.4%, 2.4% and 3.2%, respectively. No revisions were made to overtime or recertification provisions under the new agreement. 

The Emergency Medical Services Council gave unanimous consent for the new term in September. The same contract language now moves through each city or district board for approval. The new terms also arrange two joint training sessions per agency, or six total sessions per year, to advocate consistent field practice among paramedics. 

Board Vice Chair Wayne Fournier commended the work and remarked that the ALS system’s stability comes from trust among the city and fire partners, and the county’s medical service office.  

“By the time it gets to the end, that’s where it should be,” said Fournier, adding that the process reached a cooperative stage without friction or delays. 

County Manager Leonard Hernandez said the process among the three jurisdictions “is significant,” adding the level of precision needed in such agreements requires constant diligence.

The county’s ALS model has followed a three-party system since 1974. 

If the board approves the contracts on Oct. 21, Miller Todd would proceed with execution and future amendments not exceeding 10% of the total contract value.