Eastside Fire and Rescue wants its Board of Directors to approve a 15% budget increase at its Sept. 10 meeting.
“They gave us a bare-bones budget two years ago,” said Ray Austin, President of IAFF Local 1762. “So we’re way behind as it is and we’re just trying to stay current.”
Austin was among dozens of EFR members who filled council chambers to lay out their case before Issaquah City Council on Tuesday night. Austin says most representatives on the EFR Board of Directors support its 15% increase, but Issaquah’s rep. has proposed a lower number. “Issaquah has been advocating for a 10% increase which is not enough,” said Austin.
EFR members shared stories of not making it to calls due to fire trucks breaking down and urged Issaquah’s rep, Issaquah City Councilmember Lindsey Walsh, that this budget increase is needed to keep up with demands.
EFR Firefighter Corentin Morel says calls have shot up 221% since 2019 and it costs $1,272 per emergency call in Issaquah, which he believes is 57% below market rate.
“The city of Issaquah enjoys a champagne level of service on a Coors Light budget,” said Morel. Austin says any increase below their request of 15% would come at a cost to safety. “It’s not about saving money; it’s about saving lives. It’s about having all the equipment, people, and resources to respond when somebody calls 911,” said Morel.
KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle
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