As mayor and deputy mayor of Kirkland we are writing today to respond to the Reporter article regarding the “scathing” letter to the Council from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). Union President Bryan Vadney states that the letter was to “politely tell the Council we are not with you.” We are profoundly disappointed. There is nothing “polite” about this communication. Eleventh hour attack letters are no way to create collaboration and solve problems.

The Kirkland City Council was surprised to hear union opposition to the new fire station at this late date. When the city annexed Finn Hill, Juanita and Kingsgate, we pledged to build a new north end fire station to reduce response times on Finn Hill. Former Fire District #41 transferred $5.2 million to accomplish this goal.

These funds are legally restricted to capital use. We want to assure the citizens of Kirkland that the city will fulfill its commitment.

The city has conducted an open and transparent discussion of this issue for over two years. Members of the union were on the strategic planning work group and site selection committee, that led to this siting recommendation. We have had multiple Public Safety Committee meetings and council study sessions on these topics. Union leadership has been in many of these meetings and has never voiced concerns until now.

Mr. Vadney says the station will not improve service “whatsoever.” Response time data from our dispatch center and our strategic plan show that he is simply wrong. The new station will provide better response times to more residents. Mr. Vadney says “You need to add more firefighters.” But the gap in coverage is a result of geography. More staff doesn’t solve a problem of time and space. To be clear, when more staffing is appropriate the city has stepped up. Over the past 10 years the City Council has added 22 firefighters, including 11 since 2010.

In 2005 we spent $8.2 million annually on 74 firefighters. Today we spend $15.1 million on 96. That is a healthy and appropriate investment. But response times require a combination of adequate staffing and appropriate station location.

Mr. Vadney’s statements about domestic violence are also confusing. October was domestic violence awareness month in Kirkland and the two of us thought a partnership with the IAFF against domestic violence would be a positive action the city could take. We met with union leadership on the topic and received an enthusiastic response. We then drafted a resolution to express that partnership and welcomed any comments or suggestions.  Instead, with no further discussion, we received the letter refusing the partnership which was posted on the IAFF website.

Finally, we wish to express our complete confidence in Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett. In partnership with the council, he has done an extraordinary job of leading the city through annexation and the Great Recession. He implements council policies, which have allowed for the purchase of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, helped facilitate Google expansion in Kirkland and set the stage for strategic economic development. As a council, we are proud of the work that we are doing, and we believe that Mr. Triplett has been invaluable in accomplishing our goals.

One of the highest priorities of our citizens, and of this council, is public safety. We have the utmost respect and appreciation for the invaluable service of our Firefighters. If the union leadership truly wants to serve the public and solve problems, the best way they can accomplish that is to work with the council and our city manager.

Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen and Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet are members of the Kirkland City Council.