Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 2:36 p.m.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1258 into law on Thursday as the City of Spokane prepares to potentially develop its own emergency communications system. The Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Board voted in January to kick the Spokane Fire Department out of its regional system but recently suspended its recommendation in order for mediation to move forward between the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and SREC.
City of Spokane leaders will enter mediation within the coming weeks, but applaud passage of HB 1258, which will be critical in funding a potential new emergency communications system.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, Fire Chief Julie O’Berg, and Police Chief Kevin Hall released the following statements:
“I am grateful to the Washington Legislature and Governor Bob Ferguson for passing House Bill 1258 and signing it into law. This bill ensures equitable distribution of local 911 excise tax funding for emergency communications, which is essential in building a fair, effective, and reliable system should the City of Spokane need to establish its own. With this legislation, we will be equipped to develop the best possible emergency communications infrastructure, ensuring that anyone in the City of Spokane – whether they live, work, play or visit – receives the highest level of emergency response when they need it most,” - Mayor Lisa Brown
“I’m grateful to Representatives Timm Ormsby and Natasha Hill, and to the Legislature, for passing HB 1258. This bill brings greater equity to how emergency communication services are funded. It recognizes the essential role cities like Spokane play in dispatching and responding to 911 calls—and helps ensure we have the resources needed to protect our communities,”- Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg.
“The passage of HB 1258 ensures that Spokane receives its fair share of 911 funding to support fast and reliable emergency response. This is a crucial investment in public safety and emergency response for the City of Spokane. Reliable, well-funded 911 communications are the backbone of effective policing and lifesaving services. This bill ensures that the Spokane Police and Fire Department's emergency call infrastructure and staff are appropriately supported, now and into the future — and that our community gets the responsive, coordinated care it deserves. We appreciate the Legislature's acknowledgment of Spokane’s operational role and the needs of our community,” - Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall.
