Your Fire Department is at Risk!
Vote Yes on Prop 2.
The Camas-Washougal Fire Department would like to form a Regional Fire Authority (RFA). The RFA allows for a fair, sustainable, and transparent funding model which will allow Fire and EMS services to match growth in the East Clark County area for the foreseeable future. The RFA is a well-researched governing option that has been recommended separately by three different outside consulting companies.
Currently, your fire department operates under an interlocal agreement (ILA) between Camas and Washougal. As part of this arrangement, the City of Camas manages the fire department, and its costs are covered by the Camas general fund. The revenue collected from both Washougal and Camas residents, which is meant to support fire services, is all deposited into the same general fund. Unfortunately, this structure offers limited transparency about how many of the dollars you pay actually go toward the fire services you expect. By transitioning to a Regional Fire Authority (RFA), you can ensure that all revenue is directly allocated to the services that keep your community safe.
What Will it Cost?
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The current Interlocal Agreement (ILA) is set to expire in 2026, and neither Camas nor Washougal intends to reach a new agreement. As a result, the fire department would be divided along city boundaries. Currently, Camas provides Fire and EMS services to Washougal, but this split would force Washougal to find an alternative provider, while Camas would have to scale back its operations due to the reduced service area. Both cities would face challenges in terms of service quality and increased costs.
Each city would need to establish a fire department, including hiring new leadership such as chiefs and administrative staff. Additionally, they would need to decide whether to continue/apply for their own EMS service or contract with a for-profit private ambulance provider. All of these options would incur higher costs.
For Camas, scaling back operations could lead to potential layoffs and a loss of experienced firefighters who may seek more stable employment opportunities. An RFA (Regional Fire Authority) would provide an efficient, cost-effective solution with higher service levels, ensuring quality service for all residents of Camas and Washougal in the foreseeable future.
Need more information?
Use the links below.
More Details from “Engage Camas”
RFA presentation from the Camas/Washougal Fire Chief
Contact us with any questions at [email protected]
(Sponsored by IAFF Local 2444)
PO Box 922, Camas, WA 98607