Sandy Horvath became a Friend of the future North Bend Fire Station when he saw, up close and personal, the state of the current one.

The North Bend resident joined the citizen committee backing the $5.2 million bond proposition to build a new station earlier this month, after a tour with city Mayor Ken Hearing.

“I was shocked by the conditions. That’s what got me fired up and involved,” said Horvath. The state of the station “is totally unacceptable and it’s embarrassing.”

Prior to his visit, “I was laying back,” in favor of the bond but not connected, Horvath said.

Now, Horvath is a regular poster to the Friends’ Facebook website. He documents both the latest designs for the new structure, planned for city-owned property at North Bend Way and Thrasher Avenue, and the faults and flaws of the old one.

“If there’s anything you can do about it, get up and do it,” he said of his decision.

Safeguarding responders

Horvath joined fellow members of the Friends of the Fire Station last week inside the darkened bay of the fire hall to make the case for the bond. He and other members say the decision to build a new station is all about managing the city’s risk.

“Our main message is our fire station is structurally unsound,” said Friends member Nancy Thomas.

The existing Station 87, which serves both the city and District 38, was built partially in 1947, partially in 1970. It has a variety of safety and sanitation problems, from seismic instability to rats and a direct opening to city sewer lines. In a tour, firefighters pointed out water leaks, electrical problems, questionable steel support beams and a sealed-off hose tower—all part of a laundry list of problems compelling replacement.

In her campaigning for the issue so far, Thomas found that all she has to do is share basic facts to gain support.

“Once they hear about the condition of the fire station, people are overwhelmingly positive,” she said.

The fire district and city did not request a voters’ pamphlet for this election. Consequently, no pro or con statement on the issue was published.

The 20-year bond measure going to voters in the February 8 election would raise $2.25 million from North Bend and $2.975 million from Fire District 38.

For the bond to be approved, at least 60 percent of voters in both North Bend and Fire District 38 must vote in favor of the measure. Additionally, voter participation in North Bend must total at least 963, with at least 1,881 voters in District 38. If any one of these requirements is not met, the measure will fail.

If approved by enough voters, Proposition 1 would increase property taxes by 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for North Bend residents, and by 17 cents per $1,000 for FD 38 residents.

As Horvath figures it, that’s about 18 cents a day all around. He thinks that’s cheap to keep the region’s superior response times.

“We’re all taking a risk with what we have, and 18 cents a day is not worth the risk,” he says. “We can’t afford to let Medic One leave this community.”

Bellevue Medic One has served North Bend and District 38 since the 1990s and has kept two full-time paramedics on staff in Station 38 for the past five years.

“They think it’s a strategic location here with the freeway nearby and Snoqualmie Pass to the east,” explained firefighter and Friend of the Fire Station Bob Butterfield.

The paramedics offer Advanced Life Support services from Snoqualmie Pass to Carnation. Three full-time firefighters from Eastside Fire & Rescue are also on staff at Station 87 to provide Basic Life Support.

Will Medic One go?

Bellevue Medic One provides Advanced Life Support care to North Bend and FD 38 with two full-time paramedics on duty 24 hours a day at Fire Station 87.

There has been no indication that Medic One plans to relocate its team, but bond proponents say a cleaner, safer facility for paramedics to live in while providing round-the-clock coverage will make Station 87 more attractive if Medic One does consider a move.

In 2010, station staff responded to 905 calls for emergency medical services and 69 fires.

New structure

Bond boosters tout the new station as a forward-looking project expected to last for the next 50 years. Design for the new building is still in progress, but the building is expected to include a lobby area for visitors to the station and citizens applying for permits, a “drive-through” construction making entry and exits with the aid vehicles easier, and access for disabled people, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

North Bend City Administrator Duncan Wilson sees an opportunity “to do it when it’s going to be the cheapest to build it, and the cheapest to fund it.” The down economy has led construction companies to lower their project bids in an effort to keep busy, and interest rates are low right now, he said.

North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing acknowledged that this is a difficult time financially for many people, and that the city struggled with bringing this measure to voters. However, he said the city has seen the need for a new station since about 1995.

Fire District 38 had the same struggle, points out Friends member Frank Cranney.

“They held it off for years so as not to compete with other issues,” Cranney said.

Now, backers say it’s time.

“We want to make sure we can provide fire services in the city,” said Hearing.

If voters approve the measure, bonds for the new building would be sold, and the city would advertise for bids within a few months. Construction would begin as soon as feasible, and the new facility would be ready to move into approximately 18 months later. The existing building would be abandoned, and eventually demolished, but not until the adjoining North Bend City Hall is relocated.

• To learn about the bond campaign, visit Friends of the Fire Station at www.facebook.com