Mill Creek, Wash. – Snohomish County Fire District 7 has started making changes at the administrative level as part of its ongoing effort to be more efficient and save money.

The fire district evaluated its current administrative structure and identified opportunities for streamlining business operations within current budget levels. The changes will help with future budget challenges caused by increasing costs and constrained revenue streams.

Fire District 7 is in the process of hiring a human resources position that will also provide risk management services. This will help reduce liability for the organization by making sure it is compliant with safety and legal requirements in addition to managing employee needs.

Another priority for the district has been to look for ways to partner with neighboring fire agencies to share costs and improve life safety services it offers to the community. For example, Fire District 7 and Monroe Fire District 3 combined maintenance programs for emergency apparatus and equipment.

Fire District 7’s human resource position also will be shared with Monroe Fire District 3 as part of an effort to consolidate administrative services between the two organizations. The fire districts will share a public information officer and support services supervisor starting in 2016, as well.

This fall, Fire Districts 7 and 3 launched a Community Resource Paramedic program in partnership with Lake Stevens Fire. The aim of the CRP program is to connect patients in need to non-emergency medical or social services. Long-term, this will reduce calls to 911, lower healthcare costs for the community and improve patient care.

“We operate under a balanced budget and will continue to do so,” Chief Gary Meek said. “These partnerships are helping us be more efficient and better serve our communities.”