Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clive council votes to end first‑due engine agreement with West Des Moines, citing lower call volumes and budget pressures
Summary
Council approved a resolution to terminate the first‑due engine arrangement with West Des Moines’ Station 22 and begin a six‑month transition, citing reduced call volumes from that station, evolving closest‑unit arrangements and potential budget savings; the vote was unanimous.
The Clive City Council voted unanimously on June 11 to send a six‑month termination notice to the City of West Des Moines ending Clive’s first‑due engine company responsibility at Station 22, with staff and the police and fire chiefs to manage the transition.
City staff and the city manager outlined a multi‑year evolution of the Station 22 arrangement: an earlier ownership model converted to a contract‑for‑services framework, then to a buyout by West Des Moines in 2023. Staff said technological improvements, closest‑unit response agreements with Urbandale and other changes have driven down call volume from Station 22 to a projected under 200 calls for 2026, reducing the operational value of maintaining the first‑due relationship.
The recommended action is to send the formal six‑month notice contained in the meeting packet and to work with West Des Moines and Westcom partners on a transition plan. Staff emphasized that mutual‑aid relationships and regional closest‑unit arrangements will remain in place for priority‑one events; staff aim to complete the changeover by Jan. 1, 2027, and said the move is expected to yield budget savings without immediate personnel increases.
Council members noted outreach to the Country Club neighborhood and said homeowners there had been briefed and were largely accepting of the change. The council moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by a 5–0 vote.
Next steps: staff and the fire chief will coordinate with West Des Moines and Westcom agencies on dispatch and CAD updates, document the transition timeline, and report back to council as operational details are finalized.
