I want to thank the community for their support of Yakima County Fire District 5’s capital facilities bond in the November 7 general election. Because of you, we will be able to renovate stations to improve emergency response and protect the health and safety of our firefighters and emergency personnel. We will also fund essential equipment and apparatus that have reached the end of their useful lives.
We’re grateful our community sees the value of fire and emergency medical service. We’ll continue to report back to you as we make progress on the projects we promised.
Thank you for partnering with us to save lives and property.
Fire Chief Ken Shipman
Come see fire stations and learn more about the bond at Open Houses
Proposition will be on the November 7, 2023, general election ballot
Yakima County Fire District 5 invites the community to tour Fire Stations 3, 5, and 10 and learn more about the capital facilities bond that will be on the November general election ballot. The Fire District has been sharing its plans to improve emergency services, and this is a great opportunity for the public to see first-hand how their tax dollars will be put to work to improve emergency response.
Learn more at the following station tours and Open Houses:
- Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Station 3 (Harrah), located at 4111 Harrah Road
- Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Station 5 (Parker), located at 360 Columbia St.
- Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Station 10 (Zillah), located at 717 First Ave.
BALLOTS DUE NOVEMBER 7
Ballots are due on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. For your vote to count, ballots must be postmarked that day, or returned to an official ballot drop location by 8 p.m. Ballot return locations in Yakima County can be found here: www.yakimacounty.us/1136/Where-to-return-your-ballot-and-accessib
Yakima County Fire District 5 provides fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical service and a wildland fire response to 36,000 people over 800 square miles from White Swan to Grandview making it the largest fire district in the state geographically. Fire District 5 is a separate special purpose district and independent of the city of Yakima. Fire District 5 is proud to be a “combination department” relying on volunteers, part-time and full-time emergency personnel to respond to calls.
Last December, Fire District 5 sent a letter to all residents about some of the challenges it is facing to provide an emergency response. The Board of Fire Commissioners approved a Strategic Plan to identify capital and operational needs.
The first step calls for asking voters for a bond to renovate Station 3 in Harrah, Station 5 in Parker, Station 10 in Zillah, build and equip a headquarters station with a larger emergency dispatch center, and replace emergency apparatus that has reached the end of its usable life. Fire District 5 is asking voters for a bond projected at $0.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value that will appear on the November 7, 2023, general election ballot.
The second step calls for hiring additional firefighters through a fire levy increase sometime in the future. Volunteers require flexibility as they juggle family, full-time jobs and/or school. Fewer volunteers leave gaps in coverage for residents, which results in overtime costs for paid staff that costs taxpayers more.
It will take a few years to complete station renovation projects and take delivery of emergency apparatus from the time they are ordered. That’s why Fire District 5 is staggering these funding requests, so taxpayers aren’t paying for stations and firefighters that aren’t in service.
Fire District 5 formed in 1947 and has never asked voters for a tax increase. You can find additional information about the bond on this page or contact Fire Chief Ken Shipman at ken.shipman@ycfd5.org or 509-829-5111.
Fire District 5 also welcomes residents who want to volunteer to save lives and property. To become a volunteer, visit ycfd5.org/join/ to request an application online or contact our main office at the above number.
Bond Cost Breakdown
| Assessed Property Value | Cost per Year | Cost per Month |
| $100,000 | $28 | $2.33 |
| $200,000 | $56 | $4.67 |
| $300,000 | $84 | $7.00 |
| $400,000 | $112 | $9.33 |
| $500,000 | $140 | $11.67 |
Station Cost Breakdown
Station 5 – Parker
– $2,992,708
Station 3 – Harrah
– $2,992,708
Station 10 – Zillah
– $2,063,862
New Admin/Dispatch
– $4,587,837
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PRO/CON VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: The Board of Commissioners for Yakima County Fire District #5 approved a resolution to place a bond on the November 7, 2023, general election ballot. The purpose of the bond is to renovate stations to improve response times, build a headquarters station with a larger dispatch center, and fund apparatus that has reached the end of its useful life to improve emergency services.
The fire district is accepting names of people interested in participating on a for or against committee to provide a voter pamphlet statement. Residents interested in participating, please contact Fire Chief Ken Shipman at ken.shipman@ycfd5.org by 5 p.m. on July 21, 2023.
More Information
News Coverage
Voters support $18M Yakima fire bond – The Columbian -November 9, 2023
Voters support $18 million bond for Yakima County Fire District 5 enhancements – Yakima Herald-Republic – November 9, 2023
Letter: Fire District 5 needs public’s support – Yakima Herald-Republic – October 11, 2023
YCFD 5 approves bond on November ballot for needed upgrades – July 6, 2023
Board of Fire Commissioners passes bond resolution – July 6, 2023
News Releases
Letter to the editor – Post-election – November 9, 2023
News Release: Come see fire stations and learn more about the bond at Open Houses – October 9, 2023
News Release: Bond would pay for capital projects to improve emergency response – August 21, 2023
News Release: Board of Fire Commissioners passes bond resolution – July 6, 2023
News Release: Board of Fire Commissioners to meet on bond resolution
June 23, 2023
News Release: Yakima County Fire District 5 Shares Funding Philosophy – March 30, 2023
News Release: Yakima County Fire District 5 “Sounds the Alarm” – February 24, 2023
Previous Meetings
The Yakima County Fire District 5 Board of Fire Commissioners will meet Wednesday, July 5, to discuss a resolution to place a bond on the November 7, 2023, general election ballot. The community is encouraged to attend the meeting at 4 p.m. at Fire District 5 Headquarters, 717 First Avenue, in Zillah.
Bond & Lid Lift Study Session – St. 10 – 717 1st Avenue, Zillah, WA 9/22/22 @ 1800 hrs
Presentation Available
Fire Chief Ken Shipman would welcome the opportunity to speak to local service organizations, community groups or homeowner associations about Fire District 5. He can provide an overview of the fire district and answer any questions that residents may have. Please contact him at ken.shipman@ycfd5.org to schedule a 15-30 minute presentation with Q&A.