Medical Lake sheds fire and EMS services - The year in review - top 10

MEDICAL LAKE — The organization that has served the citizens of Medical Lake for 115 years was dissolved this year after the overwhelming passage of Proposition 1 in August and was annexed by Spokane County Fire District 3.

“The facts really spoke for themselves,” Medical Lake Fire Chief Jason Mayfield said. “I am super proud of our citizens for recognizing the need and taking this step.”

His priority when he became chief six years ago was to guarantee every citizen would get a response when they called 911, but it soon became clear that wasn’t possible, Mayfield said.

By 2018 the department was only able to respond to three out of four emergency services calls in Medical Lake.

District 3 officials guaranteed a 100 percent response rate from their Station 33 in Four Lakes once they took responsibility for fire and EMS services from Medical Lake firefighting and EMS crews.

That station is now staffed by crews 24/7, the first such station in District 3s history.

Meanwhile, plans continue to move forward to remodel the Medical Lake Fire Station, which will also be staffed 24/7 once complete, according to officials

While District 3 quickly took over the emergency services reigns from Medical Lake, the transition will not take full effect until Jan. 1 2021, when Medical Lake residents will be taxed the full $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value by the District.

The city will continue to collect an EMS levy from its taxpayers through 2020. But because the levy is less than District 3’s levy rate, the city must also pass along about $16,000 per month from the city’s general fund per a transitional agreement between the two entities.

The city’s net annual savings will be approximately $60,000, according to City Administrator Doug Ross.

Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].