CAPITAL FACILITY PLAN
CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN OUTLINE
Snohomish County Fire District #4 (SCFD#4) has been a vital provider of fire and emergency services to the historic City of Snohomish and the surrounding rural areas since its establishment in 1888. Encompassing approximately 60 square miles and serving a growing population of around 32,000 residents, SCFD#4 operates from three strategically located fire stations: Station 41 and Station 43, positioned within the city's urban center, and Station 42, catering to the rural areas east of the city. The District also maintains an additional facility, which is used for storage and training space, and an extensive training campus, which District personnel and regional partnering agencies both utilize.
The facilities are as follows:
Facility 40 – 6301 Foster Slough Rd
Station 41 - 427 Maple Ave
Station 42 – 6724 171st Ave SE
Station 43 – 1525 Ave D
Ray Lee Brown Training Site- 6425 S Machias Rd
As the demand for emergency services continues to rise due to significant population growth, SCFD#4 is committed to enhancing its capabilities to meet these evolving needs. This commitment includes a comprehensive Capital Facilities Plan focused on replacing aging fire stations to ensure optimal service delivery and safety for the community. By prioritizing increased staffing levels and modern facilities, SCFD#4 aims to maintain high standards of fire protection, emergency medical services, and technical rescue operations. As the District moves forward with its strategic initiatives, the focus remains on creating a resilient and efficient framework to safeguard the well-being of the residents it serves.
Capital Facilities Plan
The purpose of the SCFD#4 Capital Facilities Plan is to address the need to replace three fire stations for the benefit of the public. The Board of Fire Commissioners, consisting of elected residents of the District, has evaluated various construction and financial options to ensure they align with the District’s overall Strategic Plan. Recommendations from SCFD#4 staff, a consultant's review of community risks, and a thorough assessment of the current facilities have informed the decision-making process. Additionally, the SCFD#4 Strategic Operations Plan, which has been adopted, outlines the sequence in which construction should proceed to support the number of employed firefighters and administrative staff adequately.
Need For Increased Staffing
Snohomish County Fire District #4 has set a goal to hire additional firefighters to address the community's growing needs. Like many other areas in the region, Snohomish has experienced substantial population growth, leading to an increased demand for emergency services. Not only has there been a rise in the number of emergency incidents, but the frequency of simultaneous incidents has also increased, which the District is tasked with managing. With a planned 20% staffing increase in 2025, response times can be reduced as the District can handle more calls, eliminating the need to wait for outside agencies to assist. Newly added personnel will support a fully-staffed Advanced Life Support vehicle to handle higher acuity emergencies. This valuable addition to the community is scheduled to begin service in Summer 2025. Additional staffing will also precede the arrival of the District’s inaugural ladder truck, which is an essential component of the District’s expanding fleet. A ladder truck will incorporate firefighting abilities for large commercial and multifamily structures as well as support the already established rescue teams.
Given the diverse nature of the Snohomish area, the fire district maintains Technical Rescue Teams and Water Rescue Teams, and it also has members on the Snohomish County Technical Rescue Team. Snohomish County Fire District #4 is committed to providing high levels of fire, emergency medical, rescue, and non-emergency services. The District has increased the number of employed firefighters and support staff to enhance community resilience.
Current Facilities
Currently, three active fire stations are being utilized to provide emergency responses and administrative services to the community. These facilities were built 30 to 45 years ago to accommodate volunteer firefighters, which differs significantly from the current staffing model. Firefighters reside at the station during their shifts, so it is essential that the facilities meet their needs. This includes dedicated decontamination zones, sleeping quarters, exercise facilities, space for dining, and personal storage areas. The apparatus bays where the engines and ambulances are housed are not large enough to store specialized vehicles such as the District’s ladder truck. The current facilities have design limitations preventing them from being upgraded to meet their needs.
Additionally, the existing stations do not meet modern building standards for earthquake resilience. To effectively respond to regional natural disasters, these stations must be able to withstand seismic activity to ensure the safety and care of the community. The older facilities are also less energy efficient, leading to higher operational costs. Due to the lack of critical features to support staff, equipment, and the community, the District has allocated resources for research, planning, and funding to replace the stations that are currently being used.
Capital Facility Replacement
In 2021, the District hired a consulting agency to conduct a risk assessment known as the Standards of Cover, along with an analysis of services provided. Fire districts commonly seek this type of consultation to guide their future planning. This assessment provided valuable data to support the District’s goals of enhancing its service to the Snohomish area. The District prioritizes proficiency and resilience, aiming to create more efficient fire service facilities.
Snohomish firefighters can operate more effectively when they have the proper facilities and equipment. Modern fire stations are designed to enable crews to
Station 42 built in 1990
respond to citizens quickly. For instance, having a single-story fire station eliminates the need for crews to navigate down flights of stairs to reach the apparatus bay. Currently, the District's stations do not have the modern technology necessary to improve and track each crew's response to incidents. The new station design will incorporate the latest data management systems, tools for capturing response metrics, and digital dispatch integrations.
Capital Financing Plan
The Capital Funding Plan in the District Budget has been approved, which includes the construction of Station 41 Headquarters. Groundbreaking for this fire station is scheduled for Spring 2025, with an estimated total cost of $3 million for land acquisition, $3 million for city infrastructure upgrades, and $24 million for the station itself. The successful execution of these capital projects is made possible by the District's financial planning. The anticipated completion date for Station 41 Headquarters is Fall 2026. Looking ahead, the District also plans to replace Station 43 around 2027, with an estimated cost of $15 million, and Station 42 around 2029, with an estimated cost of $10 to $15 million.
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This document was approved by the Board of Commissioners on January 13th, 2025 as a precursor to the Facility Capital Plan and Budget which can be located here:
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