Council advances interlocal agreement with Olympia for regional fire vehicle repair

Tumwater City Council members voted to place an interlocal agreement with the city of Olympia for use of a regional vehicle repair facility on the Jan. 21, 2025 council consent calendar after a presentation from Deputy Fire Chief Sean Coombs.

Coombs told the committee the Vehicle Repair Facility (VRF) — sometimes described in staff materials as the BRF — performs regular maintenance on fire engines and medic units for multiple agencies. He said the facility is currently located at Fire Station 34 on property owned by Lacey Fire Department; Olympia provides VRF staff and mechanics while Lacey provides the building. Tumwater Fire has been a long‑time VRF customer and remains one of roughly nine customers, Coombs said, with some customers coming from Mason and Grays Harbor counties.

Coombs described the VRF’s services as including annual pump testing, routine maintenance, and coordination of larger repairs such as axle and transmission work. He said the VRF stocks many parts on site, assists with apparatus procurement (including pre‑build checks), and that its mechanics are credentialed to work on fire apparatus. He clarified the VRF does not service city staff vehicles (chiefs’ SUVs and other staff cars), which are handled by city mechanics.

Coombs said turnover of work to outside vendors occurs when warranty work is required (for example, newer apparatus under manufacturer warranty) but that the shop performs more than 90 percent of routine apparatus service. He noted the facility added a new shop in the last four to five months and increased mechanic staffing, and he said the VRF provides emergency availability and has responded to field incidents to keep rigs in service.

Council member Diana asked about tradeoffs between outsourcing and in‑house work and whether increased VRF customers have caused lag times; Coombs said the recent shop expansion and added staff have kept response times acceptable and that mechanics are available 24/7.

Council member Kelly moved to place the interlocal agreement with Olympia on the Jan. 21 consent calendar with a recommendation to approve and authorize the mayor to sign; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

If the full council approves the consent calendar item, the interlocal agreement would continue Tumwater’s partnership with Olympia and Lacey for apparatus maintenance and related services.

Votes at a glance: The committee moved the interlocal agreement to the Jan. 21 consent calendar by voice vote (motion carried).