Video: Island fire department wants break from ferry fee

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VASHON ISLAND - Some island fire departments complain they're being bogged down by the high cost of transporting patients via ferries.

Now they're asking the state to cut them a break.

Vashon Island Fire and Rescue medics rush to aid calls every day. Often times a patient needs critical care in mainland hospitals, which means the aid car and crew must get there via ferry.

"The ambulance given its size can be considered overweight," said Interim chief Mike Kirk. "The ferry has a tariff for overweight vehicles."

The ferry system charges the fire department a $44 fee, something this and other island fire departments don't believe they should be paying.

"We are serving the public," Kirk said.

They serve the ferry system too, providing fire protection for their docks and boats without charging them a fee.

"The whole thing boils down to, why do two public agencies have to be charging each other for services?" said Jan Nielsen, fire commissioner.  "We're just trading tax dollars."

A spokesperson with the ferries says they have to abide by the tariffs and they are no exemptions for island fire departments.

On top of that, the ferry system is in the midst of a so-called blackout period. So even if they wanted to, they are not allowed to make any fare adjustments until September of 2009

"The committees of the Legislature wanted what's called a time out to give the department and the commission an opportunity to study how best to fund the ferries," said Richard Ford, of the Washington state Transportation Commission.

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The ferry system charges Vashon Island Fire and Rescue a $44 fee for transport.

Commissioners with the Department of Transportation say they assume fire departments are charging patients for the transports and are recouping ferry costs that way.

But the combination volunteer and staff department hasn't charged for emergency transports in years.

The state Legislature would ultimately have to approve a reduction or waiver of fees.