Snoqualmie Fire Department adopts 2025–2030 strategic plan to guide staffing, wildland response and equipment

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — The Snoqualmie City Council on Jan. 13 unanimously adopted Resolution 1704, approving the Snoqualmie Fire Department’s 2025–2030 strategic plan and authorizing the mayor to sign.

Chief Bailey told council members the five‑year plan was developed with help from a Technical Advisor Program and community input and sets four strategic goals: attract and retain qualified staff, strengthen wildland fire preparedness, acquire and maintain physical resources (stations, apparatus and equipment), and improve relationships with external stakeholders and partner agencies.

Why it matters

The plan is an accreditation requirement and provides a roadmap for department staffing, training, equipment purchases and public education over the next five years. The council’s approval allows the department to move from planning to implementation and to present progress reports to council and the public.

What the plan says and next steps

Chief Bailey described the plan’s mission, vision and values and identified four goals with measurable objectives and an implementation guide:

- Goal 1 — Staffing: evaluate organizational structure, strengthen the officer development program, review compensation and retention strategies and celebrate member achievements. - Goal 2 — Wildland preparedness: analyze current wildland capabilities, develop training and equipment needs, and expand public education on wildfire risk and mitigation. - Goal 3 — Physical resources: coordinate capital planning for station and apparatus needs, establish committees to align department requests with city CIP, and continually evaluate resource effectiveness. - Goal 4 — Partnerships and communication: improve coordination with regional fire partners, police and public works; enhance community outreach and report progress to council and the public safety committee.

Chief Bailey noted the plan includes an implementation guide that the department will update annually; the department will create a work plan, report progress at monthly officer meetings, and provide quarterly updates to the Public Safety Committee and council.

Council response

Councilors praised the department’s work and emphasized the importance of council members witnessing operations in the field. Councilor Wotton urged colleagues to ride along and spend time with firefighters to better understand operational needs when council is asked to fund capital or staffing requests.

Action taken

- Motion: Approve Resolution 1704 adopting the Snoqualmie Fire Department 2025–2030 strategic plan and authorize the mayor to sign. - Moved by: Councilor Rawatte (as stated on the record). Second: Mayor Pro Tem Tim Holloway. - Vote: Unanimous approval by council (all present members voted aye). - Outcome: Resolution adopted; implementation to begin with an annual plan review and quarterly reporting to the Public Safety Committee.

Ending

Chief Bailey said the department will prepare an implementation work plan and that the plan is intended as a living document, with staff returning annually to revise priorities and report progress.