About South Whatcom Fire Authority
Guiding Principles
The South Whatcom Fire Authority (the “Fire Authority” or “SWFA”) serves the communities of Chuckanut, Lake Samish, West Lake Samish, Yew Street Road, Geneva and Sudden Valley. Our 27 career on-shift firefighters and chief officers; and volunteer and part-paid firefighters; as well as dedicated administrative staff and five elected commissioners all work toward the common goal of serving our citizens. SWFA is responsible for providing services to 21 square miles of combined suburban and rural areas, along with additional wilderness recreational regions, and interstate transportation routes. Our services are mission based and are guided by our principles and values. The Fire Authority provides emergency services including fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. See a complete list of our services.
Our Mission
Dedicated to maintaining a state of readiness to protect our communities through provision of effective and efficient fire and emergency life safety services.
Our Vision
Committed to excellence in the Fire Service utilizing proactive governing principles that maximizes community resources.
Our Values
We commit to these values to guide our decisions and our behaviors:
Safety
We promote and support an environment for both our community and organization that prevents and minimizes injury and accident. We understand risk, and we evaluate potential benefits prior to action.
Innovation
We are creative in delivering value to our fellow associates, customers, and communities. We anticipate change and capitalize on the many opportunities that arise.
Transparency
We are committed to openness and accountability in all of our actions.
Integrity
We employ the highest ethical standards, demonstrating honesty and fairness in every action we take.
Teamwork
We promote and support a diverse, yet unified, team. We work together to meet our common goals.
Fire Authority Staff and Elected Board of Commissioners
South Whatcom Fire Authority Stations
Chuckanut
Geneva
Sudden Valley
Lake Samish
South Whatcom Fire Authority is a municipal corporation that is formed under the Revised Code of Washington Title 52. The Fire Authority is its own political entity that has the authority to set boundaries for the purposes of taxing property owners for fire protection services. As a political entity the Fire Authority has its own elected officials known as Fire Commissioners. The Fire Commissioners are elected by the voters within the boundaries of the Fire Authority to serve on the governing board for the Fire Authority for six-year terms. These terms are staggered so one to two positions comes up for election every two years. The governing board for SWFA is known as the “Board of Fire Commissioners” or simply the “Board.” The Board sets the organizational vision and culture; determines taxing levels; the level of services to be provided; and all other related issues regarding governance of the Fire Authority.