In 1942 under the creation of fire protection district #13, Vashon Island Fire and Rescue was established. Located in the “Heart of the Sound” between Seattle and Tacoma, VIFR is responsible for and protects 36.9 square miles, and over 58 miles of shoreline comprising the majority of waterfront property in King County. Vashon Island is comprised mostly of residential properties, small commercial operations, and a few manufacturing facilities. With a year-round population of around 11,000 the Island’s population surges to between 20-25 thousand residents and visitors in the summer months. The Island is connected to West Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula to the North and Tacoma to the South via the Washington State Ferry system.
In 2001 Vashon Fire hired its first 8 full time paid firefighters. Currently Vashon Fire has a total of 13 professional firefighter/EMTs who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4189. Vashon Island Fire and Rescue responds to an average of 1600 calls a year from our main station and administrative headquarters Station 55 (add pin location). Vashon Island Fire and Rescue provides high level All-Hazards Fire and Emergency Medical Services to the residents, businesses, and visitors on Vashon Island through a tiered response model. This is accomplished with one team comprised of career staff, volunteer firefighters, EMTs, support members, and paramedicine delivered by our partners from South King County Medic One.
Vashon Island Fire and Rescue has an established Emergency Operations Center that conducts emergency drills with strong partners from CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and Vashon Be Prepared in-order to provide effective responses in times of large-scale emergencies such as earthquakes and landslides.