Eastside Fire and Rescue’s board of directors recently approved a new funding model for the emergency services partnership, ending nearly two years of debate on the future of the group.

The new funding model takes effect in 2015, for a seven-year period. The changes include many of the updates the city of Sammamish had requested when officials there first announced they were considering withdrawing from the partnership.

The Eastside Fire board also accepted changes to the interlocal agreement as recommended by an Ad Hoc Committee, formed in late November to review suggested changes as submitted by the five-party consortium.  Most of the changes related to budget approval processes and member ownership of assets. Now, each of the partner entities will be asked to review and approve the new agreement before the end of January.

Eastside Fire & Rescue was formed in 1999 by agreements involving Issaquah, King County Fire District 10/Carnation, North Bend, Fire District 38, and Sammamish. Medical, fire, and rescue services are provided to 120,000 residents over 190 square miles.