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Council committee advances Medic 1 intergovernmental agreement to full council for approval
Summary
The committee voted to place a three-year intergovernmental agreement with Thurston County Medic 1 for advanced life support funding on the Oct. 2025 Tumwater City Council agenda; the agreement increases station space payments and paramedic training reimbursements and adds a half‑time FTE reimbursement in later years.
Chief Harley of the Tumwater Fire Department presented a proposed renewal of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Thurston County Medic 1 for advanced life support funding and support of medic units on Oct. 14.
Under the proposed three‑year agreement the city would continue to host medic units and receive reimbursement covering a portion of salary and benefits (the presentation described reimbursements ranging from roughly 80–89 percent depending on unit). The city would receive an additional $32,400 total for station space across two stations and would continue to receive about $10,000 per year for equipment storage space. Medic 1 would increase annual paramedic-training reimbursements from $50,000 to $75,000 (up to two candidates per agency each year). No new positions are funded for 2026; in 2027 and 2028 the agreement includes reimbursement for an additional half‑time FTE intended to support training coordination.
Chief Harley said the countywide contract covers nine and a half medic positions per medic unit and provides required equipment. He said the county is replacing medic units across jurisdictions and expects Tumwater to have three new units by 2026.
A council member moved to place the IGA with Thurston County Medic 1 for advanced life support funding on the October 2025 City Council considerations calendar with a recommendation to approve and to authorize the mayor to sign; a second was recorded. The committee carried the motion by voice vote (all "aye"), and the chair noted the item will move to the full council agenda for action.
Chief Harley asked that staff present the agreement language on the council docket to inform other council members and the public about the increased support from Medic 1. The presentation and the committee's referral did not include a final signed contract in the record; staff said the staff report contains the correct contract language and the final agreement would be presented on the council agenda.
The committee discussion also included operational details (medic units staffed 24/7 after Jan. 1 for a specific new unit; Medic 1 provides equipment and supplies; reimbursement formulas vary by unit) and training support (financial help while firefighters attend paramedic school).
