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"Dedicated to the community for the preservation and protection of life and property through education, prevention and emergency services"

Department History

The construction of Bow Lake (Sea-Tac) Airport in the 1940s brought people into the McMicken Heights area. In 1944, after several fires, the residents of the McMicken Heights neighborhood decided that they should have fire protection. They petitioned, and in October 1944 King County Fire District #23 was approved. Covering approximately 2.5 square miles, the District began at South 160th Street and followed Highway 99 (Pacific Hwy S.) to South 176th Street. The eastern border ended in the valley and is now part of the city of Tukwila. The station, located at 3521 South 170th Street, was built by the volunteers and is still in operation today at its original site, although much of it was added onto and remodeled.
        The same growth and fire problems spread to the Angle Lake area, and in May 1945 King County Fire District #24 was formed. Covering approximately 3 square miles, the district did not become active until 1947. The District bordered District #23 on the north, South 216th Street on the south, Des Moines Way on the west, and the Green River on the east. A later addition encompassed the area between South 216th Street and South 229th Place. The first engine was housed by Lee Madson at his auto body shop and remained there until the first station was built in 1948 at 19810 Pacific Highway South. In 1959, a new station was constructed at 2929 South 200th Street. Although much was added onto and remodeled, it is still in service today.
        James Adsley, who was already the chief of District #23, became the chief of both districts in July 1976. At that time, joint operations begun and in 1980, after a vote of the citizens, the two districts merged.
        On January 1, 1990, the City of SeaTac took over the majority of the area of District #24. For a period of one year the city contracted with the District for fire protection while it organized. On January 1, 1991, the city took over and formed a municipal fire department.