Call for Bids: 1500 GPM Single Stage Pumper
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be accepted by the Northshore Fire Department (NSFD) for the furnishing of at least two (2) 1500 GPM Pumpers (“Fire Pumper Fire Apparatus”).
Sealed bid packages will be accepted at the District Headquarters located at 7220 NE 181st Street, Kenmore WA 98028 up until:
Date: October 11, 2019
Time: 3:00pm
Any bids submitted must be clearly marked:
1500 GPM SINGLE STAGE PUMPER
KING COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #16
Bidders must demonstrate their Fire Pumper Apparatus complies with the Northshore Fire District - Fire Pumper Apparatus specification dated 9/11/2019 (“Specifications”) attached and incorporated herein and the National Fire Protection Association standard #1901 (as revised) (“NFPA”).
Each bidder is solely responsible for the delivery of their bid by the set time and date. Bids received after the above listed time and date will NOT be considered and will be returned to the bidder unopened.
The Board of Fire Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive irregularities and informalities in the bidding process. The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to use the best value criteria as outlined in the Bid Requirements.
For additional details and bid specifications please click on the links below to review the following documents:
Announcement of Fire Commissioner Vacancy and Request for Applications
The Northshore Fire Department, serving the cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, has a vacancy in Commissioner Position #2.
The vacancy will be filled by appointment with term lasting through certification of the November 2019 General Election. The position is scheduled for election in the November 2019 General Election.
Commissioners act as the board of directors for the fire department. If you are interested in serving your community as Fire Commissioner, please submit a letter of interest and statement of qualifications to the District’s Acting Fire Chief no later than 5:00 pm on September 17th 2019.
Eric Magnuson, Acting Fire Chief
7220 NE 181st Street, Kenmore, WA 98028
Phone: (425) 354-1780
Fax: (425) 354-1781
All qualified candidates will be interviewed by the Board of Fire Commissioners. Candidate interviews are scheduled for September 18th at 5:00pm. Applicants will be notified if any changes are made to the schedule. Candidates will be interviewed in the order received.
Requirements: Applicants must be a registered voter residing within the fire district. The fire district boundary is consistent with the city boundaries of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.
Additional information about the role of a fire commissioner can be found in the Washington State Fire Commissioners ‘Commissioner Handbook’ or by contacting one of the current Northshore Fire Commissioners.
Notice of Special Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners of King County Fire Protection District No. 16, will be held at the headquarters station located at 7220 NE 181st Street, Kenmore WA 98028, on Wednesday, the 11th day of September 2019, at 5:00PM. Meeting agenda to follow and will be posted on the District's website.
9/11 Memorial at Northshore Fire
Wednesday, September 11th will mark the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon buildings. Northshore Fire Department has a 9/11 Memorial honoring the nearly 3,000 civilian and 343 firefighter fatalities, located in the lobby of our headquarters station in Kenmore. The memorial includes an original artifact from one of the World Trade Center towers. Our lobby will be open to the public from 7:00am-4:30pm for anyone wishing to stop and visit the memorial on the 9/11 Anniversary.
Communication Regarding Partnership Between Northshore, Shoreline & Woodinville Fire Departments
Consolidation among area fire departments has been accelerating over the last decade and offers the promise of cost savings and performance improvements. During 2015 and 2016 Northshore Fire, Bothell Fire, and Woodinville Fire & Rescue explored consolidation but were unable to gain a consensus for an agreement. Since that time, North King County fire agencies have cooperated to standardize best practices, and collaborate on training and other areas. Recently, joint fire commissioner meetings between Shoreline, Northshore, and Woodinville departments have begun new discussions to evaluate the opportunities and options for improved service delivery.
Announcement of Fire Commissioner Vacancy and Request for Applications
Application deadline and Interview Schedule updated August 21, 2019. Term of service corrected August 23, 2019.
The Northshore Fire Department, serving the cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, has a vacancy in Commissioner Position #4.
The vacancy will be filled by appointment with term lasting through certification of the November 2019 General Election. The position is scheduled for election in the November 2019 General Election.
Commissioners act as the board of directors for the fire department. If you are interested in serving your community as Fire Commissioner, please submit a letter of interest and statement of qualifications to the district’s Board Secretary & Acting Fire Chief no later than 5:00 pm on September 5th 2019. *Note: application deadline extended due to cancellation of the September 4th Board Meeting.*
Kate Hansen, Board Secretary
Eric Magnuson, Acting Fire Chief
7220 NE 181st Street
Kenmore, WA 98028
Phone: 425-354-1780
Fax: 425-354-1781
All qualified candidates will be interviewed by the Board of Fire Commissioners. Candidate interviews are tentatively scheduled for September 11th at 5:00pm. Applicants will be notified if any changes are made to the tentative schedule. Candidates will be interviewed in the order received.
Requirements: Applicants must be a registered voter residing within the fire district. The fire district boundary is consistent with the city boundaries of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.
Additional information about the role of a fire commissioner can be found in the Washington State Fire Commissioners ‘Commissioner Handbook’ or by contacting one of the current Northshore Fire Commissioners
Northshore Fire Department Refinances Bonds, Saves Money
King County Fire Protection District No. 16 (Northshore Fire Department) is in the process of issuing Unlimited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds to refinance the 2009 Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (which were issued for constructing and equipping the headquarters Fire Station 51) for interest cost savings. The District received the highest rating of AAA. The average annual reduction in the voted bond payment is $166,272 for the years 2020 through 2027. The District achieved a total net savings of $1,333,980 for taxpayers.
The District is very pleased to receive the highest rating grade of AAA, which is an upgrade from the AA+ rating previously received. This is a great accomplishment for the District and its citizens. Only one other fire district in the State of Washington has achieved the highest rating of AAA. We want to thank the Commissioners and District staff for all of their hard work.
The AAA bond rating grade was based on the following key factors: 1. Demonstrated track record of very strong fund balances in the General Fund; 2. Strength of the local economy; 3. Growth in assessed value; 4. Financial management practices and policies; and 5. Experienced management in operating the District in an efficient manner.
Board Chair, Suzanne Greathouse went on to say, “This bond rating upgrade from AA+ to AAA reflects that the District is very well-managed and has excellent financial policies and practices in place for the benefit of our taxpayers.”
“The higher the rating grade, then the lower the interest cost. We are very pleased and proud to achieve the AAA rating grade”, according to Commissioner Greathouse.
As part of the rating process, District staff prepared a presentation to S&P Global Ratings. The presentation team was comprised of Fire Chief Jim Torpin, Deputy Fire Chief Eric Magnuson, Finance Specialist Dawn Killion, Consulting CPA Tom Broetje (of CFO Selections), Board Chair Suzanne Greathouse, and Bond Underwriter Jim Nelson (of D.A. Davidson & Co.). The team presented information and answered questions relating to management, finances, local economy and long-term planning. The Unlimited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds were underwritten by D.A. Davidson & Co., Trading and Public Finance Office in Seattle. The 8.5-year financing achieved a True Interest Cost percent of 1.78%.
Request for Proposal: Facility Condition Assessment and Capital Funding Plan
Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be accepted by the Northshore Fire Department (NSFD) for a:
Facility Condition Assessment and Capital Funding Plan
Sealed proposals will be accepted at the District Headquarters located at 7220 NE 181st Street, Kenmore WA 98028 up until:
Date: June 17, 2019
Time: 4:00pm
Three hard copies of the response shall be provided in a sealed envelope addressed to Deputy Chief Eric Magnuson at NSFD headquarters (7220 NE 181st St. Kenmore WA 98028). One copy of the response shall be sent by .pdf transmission to Eric Magnuson at emagnuson@northshorefire.com.
Proposals received after the above referenced time and date will NOT be considered and will be returned to the submitter unopened.
Questions may be submitted in writing to Dep. Chief Eric Magnuson, who may share questions and answers with the other responders.
Dated this 20th day of May, 2019.
For additional details and proposal specifications please click here.
Fire Chief Retires
Fire Chief Jim Torpin and the Board of Fire Commissioners have recently entered into a mutually beneficial severance agreement allowing the Chief to retire early from the District.
Chief Torpin served the communities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park for over 26 years, starting as a Firefighter in 1993 and promoting up through the ranks.
The District appreciates the many accomplishments Chief Torpin achieved during his tenure with the District, and wishes the Chief well in his retirement.
Over the coming weeks, the Board of Fire Commissioners will begin discussions regarding the District’s next steps.
Northshore Fire Receives ‘AAA’ Bond Rating
We are very pleased to announce that S&P Global Ratings raised Northshore Fire Department’s long-term bond rating to ‘AAA’ from ‘AA+’.
"The raised rating reflects our view of the strong property value growth in the district's local economy, which has nearly doubled over the last six years, as well as the district's maintenance of a very strong financial position, supported by additional revenue-raising flexibility," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Alyssa Farrell.
This upgraded rating provides validation of the District’s strong financial management policies and practices, along with a strong local economy and escalating property values contributing to positive operating performance.
Northshore Fire Department is now one of only two fire districts to receive a ‘AAA’ rating in Washington State.