Skagit County Fire District 13 secured a $500,000 commitment from the Swinomish Tribal Community on March 13 to support local firefighting and emergency services in 2025.
District commissioners unanimously accepted the funding while also approving a five-year extension of their interlocal agreement with the Tribe, which now runs through 2030.
Fire Chief Wood Weiss emphasized the significance of the funding during the commission’s meeting at the Snee-Oosh Road station, saying, “The monetary amount in dollars allows us to continue here.”
The district serves the Swinomish Reservation and rural La Conner areas north and east of town.
Commissioner J.J. Wilbur, who also serves on the Swinomish Tribal Senate and La Conner School Board, highlighted the partnership’s mutual benefits. “Swinomish is always happy to support Fire District 13,” he said. “The appreciation goes both ways.”
The collaboration may also aid in securing grant funding to expand solar energy at the Snee-Oosh Road station. Swinomish is applying for a grant that, if approved, would fund additional solar panels and a battery energy storage system. Wilbur, Commission Chair Bruce Shellhamer, and commissioner John Doyle authorized Weiss to write a letter supporting the Tribe’s application.
With this year’s funding secured, Weiss and Assistant Chief John Tanaka outlined efforts to develop a seven-year plan for the district. The plan, expected to be finalized this fall, includes goals such as upgrading apparatus and staffing the Summit Park station full-time by 2027. The district will take a step toward these goals in August with the acquisition of a new water tender.
“We have to get rid of some of our antiques,” Weiss said. “The new tender will be a real boon to our operations when it gets here. I can’t wait.”
Anticipating future capital needs, the district is considering a levy measure for the November ballot. A committee, including district representatives and La Conner farmer Alan Mesman, is evaluating levy options. Shellhamer confirmed that the committee has already met multiple times.
Meanwhile, emergency preparedness remains a priority. Capt. Ted Taylor, the district’s emergency management coordinator, announced plans at last week’s commission meeting for a wildfire and evacuation tabletop exercise in May. The drill will incorporate HAM radio operators and simulate a fast-spreading fire scenario that could lead to evacuations and power outages.
“There’s a great deal of concern with a situation like that,” Taylor said. “Which makes what we want to do with solar all the more important.”
