West Pierce Fire & Rescue

What West Pierce Fire & Rescue does

West Pierce Fire & Rescue is a public fire protection district organized under Washington State law, formed on March 1, 2011 through the merger of the Lakewood and University Place Fire Departments. The district provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and wildland fire response to the cities of Lakewood and University Place and the Town of Steilacoom in Pierce County, Washington. Operations are delivered through six strategically located fire stations operating 24/7, supported by a fleet of six engines, one ladder truck, five medic units, two Battalion Chiefs, three cross-staffed marine boats, and one brush engine. Call volume averages approximately 49-50 responses per day, with roughly 80% consisting of emergency medical aid and over half resulting in patient transport to local hospitals.

The district's core technology consists of standard public safety apparatus, communications equipment integrated with South Sound 911 dispatch, and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus units funded in part through competitive federal grants. WPFR also delivers a portfolio of community education programs including CPR and First Aid certification, Safe Sitter babysitting classes for ages 11-13, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, school-based safety programs, and a Youth Academy. Selected personnel deploy with Washington State Task Force 1 for specialized Urban Search and Rescue operations including hurricane and wildfire response.

Revenue is derived primarily through a voter-approved Fire Benefit Charge (approved November 2024 for the 2025-2030 period), which is collected semi-annually through Pierce County property tax bills and capped at 60% of operating budget under Washington State law. Remaining funding comes from property taxes, federal grants (including a $1.113 million FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded in October 2024), nominal program fees for community education classes, and mutual aid deployments. The organization is governed by an elected Board of Fire Commissioners and coordinates regional emergency management through the West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition, a multi-jurisdictional partnership established in 2020 with the cities of Lakewood and University Place, joined by Steilacoom in 2022.

Name

West Pierce Fire & Rescue

Legal name

West Pierce Fire & Rescue

Website

https://westpierce.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

West Pierce Fire & Rescue is a Washington State fire protection district providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, and technical rescue to Lakewood, University Place, and Steilacoom through six 24/7 stations, funded by a voter-approved Fire Benefit Charge, property taxes, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire and Emergency Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (92216)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Safety Administration (Fire/EMS, Emergency Management) (BPAIACAL), Fire Prevention, Inspection & Code Enforcement (Life Safety) (BPAIAGAL), Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education (CPR/First Aid/Disaster Readiness) (EDAAAFAJ), Firefighter & Fire Service Training (EDAOAMAB)

Keywords

• Fire suppression services
• Emergency medical services
• Technical rescue operations
• Community safety education
• Fire protection district

Headquarters

HQ city

University Place

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Fire Benefit Charge (FBC): Voter-approved fee based on property use, size, and fire risk factors (not assessed property value). Approved November 2024, effective 2025. State law caps FBC revenue at 60% of total operating budget. The remaining budget must come from property taxes, contracts, fees, grants, and other sources.
2. Program Fees: Fees collected for community education programs including Safe Sitter babysitting classes ($45) and CPR/First Aid/AED training ($70 per student, $15 for CERT members)
3. Grant Funding: Federal grants such as the $1.113 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded for SCBA replacement. Grant writer and subject matter experts pursue competitive funding sources.
4. Mutual Aid Deployments: Personnel deployed as part of Washington State Task Force 1 for emergency response outside the district, such as Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

West Pierce Fire & Rescue is a public fire protection district providing 24/7 fire suppression, emergency medical response, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, marine and wildland fire response to residents and businesses in Lakewood, University Place, and Steilacoom, Washington. In addition to core emergency services, it operates a portfolio of paid community education programs including CPR/First Aid certification, Safe Sitter babysitting classes for ages 11-13, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, school programs, and the Youth Academy. The district also administers the voter-approved Fire Benefit Charge funding mechanism and coordinates regional emergency preparedness through the West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition.

Product overview

West Pierce Fire & Rescue is a fire protection district providing emergency response services and community safety education. The organization operates six fire stations with a fleet including six engines, one ladder truck, five medic units, two Battalion Chiefs, three marine boats, and one brush engine. Beyond core emergency response, the district offers a portfolio of community education programs including CPR/First Aid certification training, Safe Sitter babysitting classes for ages 11-13, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, school programs, and youth academy initiatives. The district also administers the Fire Benefit Charge funding methodology and participates in the West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition for regional emergency planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Fire & Rescue Services Fire suppression, emergency medical response, technical rescue operations, hazardous materials response, marine response, and wildland fire response serving the cities of Lakewood and University Place and the Town of Steilacoom. Delivered 24/7 from six fire stations with a fleet of six engines, one ladder truck, five medic units, two Battalion Chiefs, three marine boats, and one brush engine.
• Safe Sitter Babysitting Class Three-day certified babysitting class for students ages 11-13 teaching babysitting as a business, CPR and choking rescue, basic first aid, and safe childcare skills. Cost is $45 per student. Registration opens May 1 annually.
• CPR, First Aid & AED Class
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
• School Programs
• Youth Academy
• Lake Addressing Program
• Fire Benefit Charge Administration Annual fee-based funding mechanism calculated as Square Root of Square Footage x 18 x Category Factor x Response Factor x Hazard Factor x Fire Flow Factor x Applicable Discount. Does not apply to vacant land or structures under 400 sq ft. Properties with certified automatic sprinkler systems receive a 10% reduction. State law caps FBC revenue at 60% of total operating budget.
• West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition Multi-jurisdictional coalition between WPFR, City of Lakewood, City of University Place, and Town of Steilacoom that provides comprehensive emergency preparedness and planning activities and coordinates response during large-scale emergencies. Operates www.westpierceemergency.org for public alerts and preparedness information.
• Safety Equipment Sales

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 79-82% of emergency responses are for emergency medical aid, with over half resulting in hospital transport
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition (WPEMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Multi-jurisdictional emergency management coalition established in 2020 between West Pierce Fire & Rescue, City of Lakewood, City of University Place, and Town of Steilacoom (joined in 2022). Provides comprehensive emergency preparedness and planning activities, coordinates response during large-scale emergencies, and shares information via www.westpierceemergency.org.
• South Sound 911coreTechnology or IntegrationRegional 911 dispatch agency used by 19 law enforcement and 18 fire/EMS agencies. WPFR Chief Jim Sharp served as project manager for South Sound 911's creation, consolidating previously fragmented dispatch centers and radio systems across agencies.
• Washington State Task Force 1 (WA-TF1)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerType I Urban Search and Rescue team. WPFR has three firefighters (Captains Chris Pfaff, Jerry Hamilton, and Firefighter/Engineer Jerrod Lugo) who deploy with the team. Team has responded to Oregon wildfires (2020), Hawaii fires (2023), and Hurricane Helene in North Carolina (2024). Team of approximately 80 people with equipment trailers.
• West Pierce CARESminorGTM or Marketing Partner501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated by WPFR employees supporting Lakewood, University Place, and Steilacoom communities. Funded solely through grants and donations - no taxpayer dollars. Supports programs like Santa at the Station and community food drives.
• City of LakewoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three municipalities served by WPFR. Founding member of West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition. Collaborates on community events including Lakewood Farmers Market and Santa at the Station.
• City of University PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three municipalities served by WPFR. Co-organizer of Music on the Square events and Duck Daze parade. Collaborates on community events at Market Square.
• Town of SteilacoomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three municipalities served by WPFR. Joined West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition in 2022. Residents benefit from WPFR fire protection and emergency services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pierce County Fire District 5 (Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One): Same-county fire district providing fire suppression and EMS with a similar voter-approved funding model and comparable call volume profile, making it a direct operational peer.
• Spokane Valley Fire Department: Washington State regional fire service of comparable size combining fire suppression, EMS, and prevention with similar community education programs and a permanent funding model.
• South King Fire & Rescue: Regional fire authority in south King County serving multiple cities with a comparable mix of fire suppression, EMS, prevention, and community education programs of similar scale.
• Central Pierce Fire & Rescue: Adjacent fire district covering Puyallup, Sumner, and surrounding unincorporated Pierce County with a comparable combination of fire suppression, EMS, and community education programs in the same regional market.
• Clackamas County Fire District #1: Pacific Northwest regional fire district of comparable scale serving multiple municipalities with fire suppression, EMS, prevention, and community programs; serves as a useful operational and governance benchmark.
• Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority: Washington State regional fire authority serving a similar population size with a comparable combination of fire, EMS, and community risk reduction services funded through a mix of property tax and benefit charges.

Broad incumbents

• Everett Fire Department: Municipal fire department in Washington State serving a similar population with comparable fire, EMS, marine, and technical rescue capabilities and similar fleet composition.
• Tacoma Fire Department: Larger municipal fire department adjacent to WPFR's service area providing fire suppression, EMS, and special operations across a denser urban population, with broader hazmat and USAR capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/westpierce
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjWTiaR4PDS3YuUvmnEWJ9A
• Facebookfacebook.com/westpierce
• Instagraminstagram.com/westpiercefire

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about West Pierce Fire & Rescue