East Pierce Fire and Rescue could see another merger in the near future.

Commissioners from Pierce County Fire District No. 8 attended a special meeting Friday at East Pierce Fire and Rescue headquarters in Bonney Lake to discuss a merger between the two districts.

Commissioners Dale Mitchell, Edward Egan and Kevin Garling, along with Mayor Katrina Asay of Milton, Milton Fire Department Chief Jim Jaquez and Fire Chief Ed Goodlet of District No. 8, listened to a presentation by East Pierce Fire Chief Jerry Thorson.

Thorson said the advantages of merging with East Piece would be improved services.

“Can we bring two districts together and put forward a better service that what we had before?” Thorson asked. “In this case, I believe we can. We can definitely provide a better service.”

According to Thorson, Edgewood and Milton do not currently provide paramedic services, which East Pierce does.

Thorson added the district can also provide training, fire prevention, public educational services and more resources.

He said with East Pierce’s financial structure there would be an increase in services and an impact on the communities.

Currently, Edgewood and Milton residents are paying $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed property value for their emergency medical services levy, while East Pierce residents pay $2.

If District 8 merges with Central Pierce, residents would pay a rate of $2.11.

Thorson noted maintaining and improving the community connection is very important. “We’re proud to work with all our communities, not just the big ones,” he said.

Thorson said if the merger happens, District 8 personnel would keep their seniority intact and would be accepted as company officers in the organization.

He noted the timing to merge is good, because East Pierce’s collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of 2010.

The fire chief told the commissioners that Station 81 in District 8 would be staffed as soon as possible with the merger. Thorson said the station would be staffed with a three-person fire engine and two-person medic unit.

Thorson said a ladder truck would be at Station 13.

Another benefit stemming from the merger, according to Thorson, is career growth and promotional opportunities for District 8 employees.

“No one will lose their jobs,” he explained.

The fire chief said the district has an excellent training program for volunteer firefighters.

Under a merger, District 8 commissioners would be welcomed onto the East Pierce board, which eventually be reduced according to state law, Thorson said. All East Pierce commissioners are at-large positions.

Earlier in the day, District 8 commissioners attended a special meeting with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue and reconvened for another meeting at the Sumner fire station of East Pierce.

Mitchell said he was impressed with the presentation and talking with people from both East Pierce and Central Pierce.

“We felt very comfortable with both districts,” Mitchell said. “Either way we go, we can’t go wrong. There are good people in both districts.”

He said the commissioners need to decide the best option.

“We have to set down as a board now and see what is going to be the best fit for us,” Mitchell said. “We’re a hilltop community that’s isolated and we need what’s best for us.”

Mitchell said he feels Milton will join District 8 soon.

According to Mitchell, Milton’s fire department is operated by the city and is made up mostly of volunteers.

“They want to join us and become a part of us,” Mitchell said. “We been working with them for several years.”

He said District 8 will merge with another district, regardless of whether Milton joins.

Asay said the presentation was very informative.

“We have been working with Pierce Co. District No 8 for several years,” she said.

Asay said she went before the state Legislature to change the state code so the King County portion of her city can be charged the same EMS levy rate as Piece County residents.

District 8 is in Edgewood and provides fire protection services to the city of Edgewood through annexation. It currently serves 10 square miles with a population of 9,560. The district’s assessed value is $1.3 million.

The fire district was created in 1947 with 40 volunteers. They are on pace to respond to more than 1,000 calls this year.

Currently, the district employs a fire chief, assistant fire chief, three career shift captains, nine firefighters, an office manager and an office assistant.

Reach Dannie Oliveaux at doliveaux@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.