The following is a press release by East Pierce Fire and Rescue:

In having discussions with community members, East Pierce Fire and Rescue has come to understand there is some confusion about which fire station is primarily responsible for serving the north end of Lake Tapps.

Many people living in the Lake Tapps area believe that the fire station on 182nd Avenue East is where our crews respond from. That station is not East Pierce’s, but Valley Regional Fire Authority (Auburn) Fire Station 33, serving the south end of their area, including Lakeland Hills. East Pierce receives mutual aid from that station, but they are not first due to Lake Tapps.

“We understand how one might think the VRFA station is there for Lake Tapps,” Fire Chief Bud Backer said is a press release. “Depending on where you live, and if you commute north on 182nd to Auburn, that station is nearby, and in a prominent location that you pass every day.”

Station 114, located at the intersection of West Tapps Drive East and Sumner Tapps Hwy East, is responsible for the Lake Tapps Area.

This station is 48 years old, Backer said, adding that the department is seeking funding on the November General Election Ballot to replace four fire stations, add one new fire station, and purchase emergency vehicles.

“Station 114, serving Lake Tapps is one of the stations that needs to be replaced,” Backer said. “Issues with Station 114 include lack space for adding firefighters, vehicle bays are too short (only two of our fire engines fit in them), unreinforced construction may fail during an earthquake, poor site distance on West Tapps Dr. E., and building systems nearing end of life.”

East Pierce Fire & Rescue also has Volunteer Fire Station 115 located on 210th Ave E and 16th St E. This station is slated for upgrades, to facilitate conversion to 24-hour staffing during Phase 2 of the Capital Facilities Planning process.

For more information, and to see the entire Capital Facilities Plan, visit the department’s website at www.eastpiercefire.org.