Sandy Point fire district to appeal to voters to move flood-prone fire station

SANDY POINT, Wash. — Whatcom County Fire District 17, serving Sandy Point Shores, Sandy Point Heights, Neptune Heights, Neptune Beach and western portions of the Lummi Indian Reservation, has suffered recent multiple flooding events at their main station and offices on Sucia Drive. As a result, the WCFD17 Board of Fire Commissioners has approved appealing to voters in the April special levy election to provide financing needed to build a facility out of harm’s way.

The fire station was hit by 2 significant coastal flooding events in a past year. In 1 instance, while out assisting others in their district, they also had to deal with 3 feet of saltwater and raw sewage in the station causing over $750k in damage. In addition to building damages, emergency response is also interrupted for months following these catastrophic events.

As a result of repeat damage claims, they have lost their primary insurance and now rely on more expensive federal insurance. It is being assumed that this too will be lost in the event that another claim is submitted.

Supporters say Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery has offered an elevated Slater Road property, well outside of the flood zone, to WCFD17 at no cost. This eliminates many of the challenges and costs of rebuilding, but construction funds, estimated at $2 to 3 million, will still be needed.

In the April special levy election, the district will be asking citizens in their district to support increasing the district’s property tax with a new mil rate (amount applied per $1,000 of assessed property value) of $1.25, a 0.45 increase over the 2023 mil rate.

WCFD17 officials say the additional funding will also be used to address a local crisis of lowered volunteerism, noting 2 of their volunteers are over 70 years old. Additional funds will be used to hire additional firefighter/EMT’s to build future service capacity.

Inside WCFD17 main station during a coastal flooding event in the Sandy Point area. Photo courtesy of WCFD17
Inside WCFD17 main station during a coastal flooding event in the Sandy Point area. Photo courtesy of WCFD17
Inside WCFD17 main station during a coastal flooding event in the Sandy Point area. Photo courtesy of WCFD17