Frequently Asked Questions

Oak Harbor Fire Department & Station 82 Background Timeline

Pre-1992

Operated from a small station on SE Barrington Drive, serving approximately 4 square miles with primarily volunteer firefighters and two chief officers.

1992

Moved to current station on E. Whidbey Avenue.

Early–Mid 1990s

Career staffing increased to 10 firefighters.

2006

A strategic study by JTS Association recommended constructing a second fire station in southwest Oak Harbor due to population growth and response time goals.

2016

Feasibility study conducted for a second station in the southwest quadrant. Discussions intensified as population growth raised concerns about increasing response times.

June 2017

An early concept rendering showed a three-bay, single-story station. This was a preliminary concept only and not tied to a specific property.

November 2022

Voters approved a Fire Service Levy increase and bonds to fund construction.

February 2023

The Oak Harbor City Council approved purchase of property at 1250 SW Swantown Avenue.

July–August 2023

Zoning change approved by the hearing examiner; land purchase completed.

Design Phase (2023–2024)

Based on property size and configuration, the design transitioned to a two-bay, two-story station with a residential appearance to better fit the neighborhood.

March 2024

Building plans submitted for review.

October–November 2024

Project advertised for bid; bids closed November 5 for a two-bay station.

December 2024

The Oak Harbor City Council reviewed bids and identified Valdez Construction, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder at $4.7 million.

February 2025

Contract authorized and signed.

March 5, 2025

Groundbreaking ceremony held.

Community & Service Snapshot

• Population: 24,000 residents (for year 2025)
• Service area: 9.7 square miles
• Significant growth in south and southwest areas
• Class 4 ISO rating (Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau)
• City response time goals:
  • 4 minutes (medical incidents)
  • 5 minutes (fire incidents)

Station 82 size and operation

Approximately 7,500 square feet, housing one engine company staffed 24/7/365 primarily serving Oak Harbor's southwest area

Summary

While an early 2017 concept showed a three-bay station, that rendering was not site-specific. Once funded and formally designed for the selected property, Station 82 has consistently been planned and bid as a two-bay facility. The project remains on time and on budget, and its size was not reduced during the funded design and construction process.

Approved Ballot Measures

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

PROPOSITION 1

LEVY LID LIFT FOR FIRE PROTECTION RESPONSE TIME IMPROVEMENTS

While the City of Oak Harbor has grown in land area and population over the last few decades, only one permanent full-time firefighter has been added since 2000. Oak Harbor has approximately 0.45 full-time firefighters per 1,000 people, as compared to 1.25 per 1,000 people for like-sized Washington cities. The majority of the funds from this proposition would provide funds to add firefighters to bring the ratio closer to 0.85 full-time firefighters per 1,000 people. It would also upgrade vehicles and equipment, improve firefighter health and safety, and provide for fire operating/capital costs.

Proposition 1 would increase the City's regular property tax levy to $2.4886/$1,000 of assessed valuation (an estimated increase of approximately $0.6656/$1,000) beginning in 2023. The City estimates that the cost of this proposition in annual property taxes would be approximately $67 a year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation, or approximately $5.55 a month for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. The assessed values are determined by the Island County Assessor.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

PROPOSITION 2

GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS

FIRE PROTECTION RESPONSE TIME IMPROVEMENTS

The City of Oak Harbor provides fire services to City residents through the Oak Harbor Fire Department ('"OHFD") with one fire station located at 855 E Whidbey Avenue. As the City continues to grow and expand, OHFD's response time continues to rise. An independent study in 2016 recommended building a second fire station to improve response times and capabilities.

If approved, this proposition would authorize up to $9,200,000 of general obligation bonds that would mature within a maximum of 21 years to finance the acquisition of property, construction and equipping a second fire station in the City and acquisition of a new ladder truck. Although the exact amount of property taxes per household necessary to repay the bonds will depend on interest rates and property values, the City estimates that the annual property tax paid by the owner of a home would be approximately $29 a year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation, or approximately $2.35 a month for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. The assessed values are determined by the Island County Assessor. Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners.

In 2024, Oak Harbor Fire Department moved from a combination fire department (both career and volunteer/paid-on-call firefighters) to a full-career fire department. 

The fire stations are each staffed 24/7/365 by three firefighter shifts working a 48/96 schedule. 

OHFD is responded to 2,349 calls for service in 2025, a significant increase over past years. When the Fire Service Levy passed in 2022, the average annual call volume was around 1,500 calls. 

There were 1,520 calls for service in 2021, of which 63 were fire emergencies. In 2020, there were 1,403 calls for service. Learn more about OHFD calls for service in our published annual reports located at: www.oakharbor.org/fire/page/ohfd-annual-reports.