What Renton Regional Fire Authority does

Renton Regional Fire Authority (Renton RFA) is a voter-approved special purpose district established in April 2016 that began operations on July 1, 2016, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, specialized rescue operations, fire inspections, fire investigations, permitting, and public education to the City of Renton, King County Fire District 25 (East Renton Plateau, ~10,000 residents across 4.5 square miles), and — following the April 2025 permanent appointment by KCFD 40 voters — King County Fire District 40 (Fairwood, ~21,885 residents across 10 square miles). Operationally, the authority runs a network of fire stations (numbered 11 through 17), staffs dual-role firefighter/EMTs, maintains Special Operations teams in Rope Rescue, Water Rescue (11 NOAA Working Divers), and Hazardous Materials (18 technicians), and participates in Zone 3 regional response partnerships. Workforce development is rigorous: 19 weeks of initial training plus a 6,000-hour, three-year apprenticeship yielding Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazmat Operations, and EMT-D certifications.

The organization's revenue model is tax-funded rather than commercial. Funding flows from two voter-authorized streams: a property tax levy of up to $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and a Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) based on building size, risks, and hazards that can comprise up to 60% of the operating budget and was reauthorized for 10 additional years in November 2021. An ancillary commercial stream includes fees from the Office of the Fire Marshal (permits, plans review, multi-family inspections) and CPR/AED/First Aid training classes priced at $30 per participant ($60 combined, $600 minimum for private groups). The authority holds a Public Protection Class rating of 2, placing it in the top 5% of fire agencies nationally and reducing insurance costs for residents within the service area. Governance is provided by a multi-jurisdictional board representing Renton, KCFD 25, and KCFD 40, with the KCFD 40 transition from a 17-year contractual relationship to permanent jurisdiction in April 2025 representing the most significant recent structural development.

Name

Renton Regional Fire Authority

Legal name

Renton Regional Fire Authority

Website

https://rentonrfa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Renton Regional Fire Authority is a voter-approved special purpose district providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, specialized rescue, inspections, permitting, and public education to the City of Renton, King County Fire District 25, and King County Fire District 40 in King County, Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire and Emergency Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (92216), Fire Protection (922160)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire Watch & Life Safety Patrols (HSAHAKAH), Fire & Smoke Dampers / Firestopping / Passive Fire Protection Services (BPABAHAE), Fire Pump, Hydrant & Water-Based Fire Protection Testing (Flow/Pressure) (BPABAHAI)

Keywords

• Fire suppression services
• Emergency medical services
• Fire prevention inspections
• Hazardous materials response
• Public safety education

Headquarters

HQ city

Renton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Levy: Property tax of up to $1.00 per $1,000 assessed value of property to support day-to-day operations and capital needs of the fire department
2. Fire Benefit Charge (FBC): Fee based on the fire protection resources necessary to protect a property, based on building size, risks, and hazards. Up to 60% of the Renton Regional Fire Authority budget can come from the Fire Benefit Charge. Reauthorized by voters in November 2021 for 10 additional years.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Renton Regional Fire Authority provides integrated fire suppression, advanced life support emergency medical services (EMS), and specialized technical rescue (water/dive, rope, and hazardous materials) across the City of Renton, King County Fire Districts 25 and 40, and surrounding communities. The Authority also delivers fire prevention services (inspections, investigations, permits, plans review), and offers community education programs including CPR, AED, and First Aid training. Services are delivered 24/7 from fire stations staffed by cross-trained firefighter/EMTs and paramedics.

Product overview

Renton Regional Fire Authority is a special purpose district providing fire and life safety services to the communities of Renton and Fire Districts 25 and 40 in King County, Washington. Established in April 2016 and beginning operations July 1, 2016, the organization does not offer a traditional product or software platform. Instead, it provides emergency services including fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), special rescue operations (rope rescue, water rescue, hazardous materials response), fire inspections, fire investigations, fire plans review, permitting, and public education programs including CPR/AED and first aid training classes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Integrated emergency medical response including basic and advanced life support, staffed by cross-trained firefighter/EMTs and paramedics operating from fire stations 24/7 across the Renton RFA service area.
• Fire Suppression Fire suppression response provided by personnel who are all trained as either EMTs or paramedics, delivering integrated emergency response across the approximately 65-square-mile service area.
• Special Rescue Teams Technical rescue services covering water/dive rescue (NOAA Working Diver accredited), rope rescue, and hazardous materials response, delivered by specially trained teams supporting Renton RFA and surrounding jurisdictions.
• Fire Inspections Routine fire and life safety inspections of commercial and multi-family occupancies within the Renton RFA jurisdiction, scheduled to verify ongoing compliance with fire codes.
• Fire Investigations Fire investigation services to determine the origin and cause of fires occurring within the Renton RFA jurisdiction, conducted by trained investigators.
• Fire Permits Issuance of fire permits for regulated activities and occupancies, administered by the Office of the Fire Marshal at Fire Station 14 for property owners and businesses within the service area.
• Fire Plans Review Review of construction plans and specifications for new construction, remodels, and tenant improvements to verify compliance with fire and life safety codes prior to permit issuance.
• CPR / AED / First Aid Training CPR, AED, and First Aid certification classes for individuals (approximately $30-$60 per participant) and private group sessions (minimum $600 plus materials), taught by Renton RFA personnel for community members, workplaces, and organizations.
• Public Education Programs Community fire safety and prevention education programs including public events, station tours, school and group visits, and outreach to raise awareness of fire and life safety practices within the service area.

Quantifiable outcome

• EMS responses increasing year over year due to population growth
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• King County EMS (KCEMS) - Medic OnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within the larger Medic One/King County EMS system, providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) through paramedics. Renton RFA contracts for two Medic One paramedics on duty at all times to supplement EMT-trained firefighters for emergency medical situations.
• South King County CPR & First Aid CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative group of fire departments offering certified CPR/AED and first aid classes to the public. Renton RFA was a founding member. Classes meet OSHA and WISHA standards with certified completion cards.
• Zone 3 Regional Response PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenton RFA participates in Zone 3 regional response for Special Operations teams including Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, and Hazardous Materials. Minimum staffing of two technicians on duty for each discipline. Allows resource sharing and cost reduction for taxpayers.
• Valley Medical Center, Overlake Hospital, Swedish Hospital IssaquahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitals to which EMS patients are transported based on Renton RFA policy. BLS patients transported to these facilities; ALS patients transported to closest or most appropriate facility.
• Local Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Medic AgenciesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agencies that collaborate with Renton RFA during Scout Night events and other community programs to help scouts meet badge requirements.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Seattle Fire Department: Major municipal fire department in King County with comprehensive suppression, EMS, technical rescue, and marine response capabilities. Comparable in service breadth and PPC-class rating tier, though at much larger scale and funded through Seattle's general fund.
• Tacoma Fire Department: Large municipal fire department providing suppression, EMS, and special operations in Pierce County. Comparable in service portfolio and integration with county EMS/Medic One systems, though operating under a city general fund rather than RFA structure.
• Bellevue Fire Department: Municipal fire department serving Bellevue with comprehensive suppression, EMS, and special rescue capabilities. Comparable in service quality (Class 2 PPC region) and special operations capacity, though funded primarily through city general fund rather than RFA structure.

Direct peers

• Eastside Fire & Rescue: King County regional fire authority serving Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and several other Eastside cities. Highly comparable in scope, service mix (suppression, EMS, special operations), and Washington-state funding mechanisms.
• King County Fire District 20 (Shoreline): King County fire district providing fire and EMS services to the Shoreline/north King County area. Directly comparable as a voter-approved special purpose fire district operating under the same Washington state fire district statutes and funding framework as Renton RFA's KCFD 25 and KCFD 40.

Regional players

• Valley Regional Fire Authority: Washington RFA serving Auburn and surrounding unincorporated areas. Structurally similar to Renton RFA in governance and funding model; comparable in size, service mix, and King/South King regional positioning.
• Kent Fire Department: Municipal fire department in South King County providing fire suppression, EMS, and prevention services. Comparable in service portfolio and regional geography, though structured as a city department rather than an RFA.
• South King Fire & Rescue: Federal Way-area RFA providing fire and EMS to South King County. Closely comparable in jurisdiction type, funding model, and service portfolio; overlaps in Zone 3 regional response coverage.
• Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority: A neighboring Washington RFA serving South King County communities including Kent, Covington, and SeaTac. Directly comparable as a voter-approved regional fire authority with overlapping Zone 3 mutual aid responsibilities and a similar property-tax-plus-FBC funding model.
• Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue: Regional fire authority in Snohomish County serving multiple cities and unincorporated areas. Comparable RFA structure and funding model to Renton RFA; relevant peer for cross-jurisdictional consolidation strategies in the Puget Sound region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/rentonrfa
• Facebookfacebook.com/rentonrfa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rentonrfa
• Instagraminstagram.com/rentonrfa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Renton Regional Fire Authority