SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane plans to independently manage its emergency dispatch services.
The City of Spokane will proceed forward with establishing its own emergency communications system by January 1, 2026, when the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications Board terminates dispatch services for the fire department.
The decision follows years of disputes over governance and funding. Spokane taxpayers contribute 48% of SREC’s annual revenue but hold only two seats on the 10-member board.
“A year ago, the SREC Board threatened to kick out Spokane Fire if Spokane Police did not join. Today, they are following through on that threat,” Mayor Lisa Brown said.
Fire Chief Julie O’Berg called the decision “disappointing and shortsighted.”
The city will seek equitable funding apportionment, including sales and use tax dating back to July 25, 2021.
In a letter addressed to the County Commission and the SREC Board, Mayor Brown wrote: “We are in receipt of communication from the SREC Board notifying the City of Spokane that SREC ‘will no longer serve as the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the City of Spokane Fire Department effective 12:00 am on January 1, 2026.’ This unilateral and arbitrary deadline will place lives at risk. Indeed, independent subject matter experts recommend at least 18 months to stand up a new PSAP.”
City officials criticized the six-month timeline as irresponsible because no transition plan has been established.
Read the full response here.
