Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One officials on Monday updated Fox Island residents on the department’s capital projects funded by a voter‑approved bond and described how crews will be staged while stations are remodeled.

Dennis Stone, who identified himself as Gig Harbor fire chief, said voters passed an approximately $80 million capital bond and the department is using the funds only for capital projects, not staffing. “This community passed an $80,000,000 bond for the Gig Harbor Fire Department that’s only used for capital. We cannot use it for staffing,” Stone said.

Planned work and staging
- Fox Island Station 53: a lighter remodel with added decontamination areas has been completed and the district held an open house. Stone said those decontamination features are intended to reduce cancer risk among firefighters.
- Training campus: the department is building a five‑story burn tower and a two‑story support building for training; Stone said the first floor of the tower was finished and the project is expected to be complete in about a year.
- Station 51 (Kimbell): artist renderings were shown; the project is in city permitting and expected to go to bid in July. When Kimbell is under construction, crews will be staged at Fox Island Station and other temporary locations so 24‑hour coverage continues.
- Stations 58 and 59: planned renovations will follow; Station 51 work will require temporary moves of crews and engines to keep response capacity.
- Equipment: Stone said the district has ordered five new Type‑1 fire engines; delivery time is roughly two years.

Staffing and response considerations
Stone said the district has 22 firefighters on duty each day and emphasized response limits if multiple large incidents occur simultaneously. “If the Fox Island station stopped, that’s only 3 people in a disaster,” he said, urging islanders to maintain personal preparedness plans.

Community outreach
Stone thanked local volunteer leaders and FICA for partnership on insurance‑rating efforts and urged residents to contact him directly with questions about preparedness or insurance. He also thanked the council and county executive for collaboration on radios, EMS and emergency management issues.

Why this matters: the projects will alter where crews are housed during construction and should eventually increase training capacity, replace aging facilities and add equipment. Stone said the district plans phased construction and temporary relocations to maintain emergency coverage.

Ending: Stone encouraged residents to reach out by email with questions and to attend open houses and planning meetings as construction proceeds.