The partnership between Eastside Fire and Rescue (EF&R) and Woodinville Fire and Rescue (WF&R) solidified today as EF&R officially began providing emergency services to the Woodinville Community. The ten-year contract for service was approved in July by both agencies’ governing bodies and labor organizations.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the men and women of our fire departments as well as our residents,” said EF&R Fire Chief Jeff Clark. “Together, we can reduce costs to taxpayers while expanding the resources and equipment available to our employees.”

WF&R will continue to be an operational Fire District with locally elected fire commissioners and will retain all capital assets. The WF&R Board of Commissioners will continue to set Woodinville’s service level and oversee the Districts’ budget and policy decisions. The WF&R Board of Commissioners will not be a participating member of the EF&R governing body.

“We want people to know all current WF&R firefighters were offered positions at EF&R,” said WF&R fire Commissioner Mike Millman. “All the stations within the District will remain open and fully staffed, so there will be no change in 911 service or response.”

The efficiencies created by the ten-year agreement are expected to bring an operational cost savings to WF&R. The cost savings is attributed to reduced overhead and elimination of redundancies between the two organizations.