Eastside firefighters seek 15% budget increase, warn of service cuts

Firefighters on King County's Eastside are pushing for a larger budget as the union, representing about 300 members, warns that further cuts could threaten emergency services.

The department needs millions more to make sure it has adequate staffing, equipment, and resources to respond when people call 911, according to IAFF Local 1762 President Ray Austin.

"Not only is this unacceptable, this is embarrassing," Eastside Fire and Rescue firefighter Corentin Morel stated during the public comment period. "The budget for fire and EMS services needs to match the market value today, and we need to plan better for the future."

"I’ve been on fire engines that have broken down on the way to a call and actively broken down at a fire," firefighter Wayne Parker added.

The department serving about 228,000 residents across 16 stations is urging city council members across the Eastside to approve a 15% budget increase for 2027.

Austin claims that is the minimum to maintain fire and EMS service levels in Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, and in two independent King County fire protection districts. He said anything less could have devastating consequences for staff training and emergency services.

"There would be brownouts where units would be unstaffed because there aren’t enough people to fill the seats," he explained. "It’s not about saving money, it’s about saving lives."

Data from the EFR Board of Directors shows Issaquah has had far more calls for service than other coverage areas over the last five years. One firefighter during public comment on Tuesday noted that heavy workload should translate to more funding.

"Issaquah enjoys a champagne service on a Coors Light budget. That is not sustainable," Morel added.

KOMO News reached out to the Board of Directors late Tuesday night for comment about what to expect with the budget, and I did not hear back by news time.

The board is set to vote on the budget Thursday at 4 p.m.