Gig Harbor Fire Asks Public To Consider Funding New Facilities

GIG HARBOR, WA — Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One says it needs to make some changes to keep up with the growing community it serves.

Over the past decade, Gig Harbor's population has grown more than 16 percent, and during that same time Gig Harbor Fire says its call volume has increased by more than half.

To keep up with the growing demand will require a number of changes, the agency says, including renovating or replacing aging fire district stations and reconsidering firefighter health and training.

“Saving lives and property depends on three things equally,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan. “Adequate facilities, modern apparatus and equipment, and enough emergency personnel to respond."

But in Washington, funding to support these kinds of changes usually need to be voter-approved. Before putting anything on the ballot, Gig Harbor Fire says it wants to explain clearly to the public what it needs and why: so, the agency is inviting the public to attend the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 5 p.m., where the agency will unveil its new draft Capital Facilities Plan (CFP).

One of the big changes the agency is pushing for will be better training. According to Gig Harbor Fire, the district does not have its own training facility and as a result its firefighters only train with live fire once every three years.

“This is a real concern for public safety,” said Doan. “We don’t want the first time a firefighter fights fire to be on your home. These are skills that need to be regularly practiced and perfected to improve the outcome for our community.”

Firefighters will also ask for seismic retrofits to their aging buildings, and new decontamination areas to help firefighters clean off after fighting fires, reducing their chances of contracting cancer and improving health and safety.

When Nov. 9 rolls around, interested members of the public can attend the meeting through the Fire District’s website. Comments on the draft plan can also be sent directly to Fire Chief Doan at DDoan@gigharborfire.org.