Tumwater City Council has taken significant steps to enhance emergency response capabilities by approving two key interlocal agreements during their meeting on July 15, 2025. The first agreement focuses on the programming of approximately 1,550 radios used by fire and police departments across Thurston County, part of the Thurston County Emergency Radio Network (TCERN). This upgrade will allow for more efficient communication and interoperability among agencies, crucial for effective emergency response.

The council authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with TCOM 911, which will facilitate the programming updates for these radios. The updates will be conducted at designated sites throughout the county, including a new Wi-Fi connection at the Tumwater Fire Station. This will streamline the process, allowing emergency vehicles to receive necessary software updates directly at the station, enhancing operational efficiency.

In addition to the radio programming, the council also approved an agreement to utilize TCOM 911's digital alerting system for Tumwater's fire stations. The current alerting system, which is over 25 years old, will be replaced with a modern digital system that improves response times and situational awareness for firefighters and paramedics. This system will allow personnel to receive alerts specific to their assigned units, reducing unnecessary noise and stress during emergency calls.

Both agreements are expected to significantly improve the effectiveness of emergency services in Tumwater, ensuring that first responders can communicate seamlessly with surrounding counties during critical incidents. The council's decisions reflect a commitment to leveraging technology for better public safety outcomes, with plans to implement these systems promptly.