The SeaTac Fire Department officially joined the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority on Thursday under a 20-year contract.

The contract completes a consolidation process, which began in 2011. At that time, an inter-local agreement between the SeaTac Fire Department and Kent Fire Department RFA provided the following services to the City of SeaTac:

• Chief Administration
• Emergency Management
• Fire Prevention
• Fire Investigation
• Training

Beginning this year, all emergency services are included in the contract, including emergency response.

The combined fire department will operate under the name Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority. Personnel will wear Kent Fire Department RFA uniforms, though all emergency apparatus will keep their current logos on them. The new department will protect approximately 50 square miles, including the cities of Kent, SeaTac, Covington, and King County Fire District 37 with 11 fire stations and over 200 firefighters.

What changes can the residents and businesses expect beginning in 2014? On a day-to-day basis, there will be very little change. The public can still expect the same quick and professional emergency services that they have had in the past.

Both departments are self-funding.

There are several advantages to a contract for both the SeaTac and Kent Fire Departments:

• Both departments become more efficient as they operate under one administration, eliminating redundant services.
• Cost savings through economies of scale.
• Standardized training and emergency response.
• Consolidation of specialized skills such as high angle rescue and hazardous materials response.

The public can stay in touch with both departments through social media. Join Twitter at @kentfirerfa, Facebook, and on the Kent Fire Department RFA’s website, www.kentfirerfa.org. The department also can be contacted by calling 253-856-4300.