After a lengthy debate, SeaTac lawmakers authorized on April 10 a tentative consultant's study on where the city's fire stations should be located.

City Manager Craig Ward told council members it could take a month to negotiate the scope and cost of the study with Emergency Services Consulting Inc.

The council must approve the final contract.

The vote was 4-3 to authorize Ward to negotiate a contract. Mayor Gene Fisher and councilmen Tony Anderson, Chris Wythe and Don DeHan voted in favor. Deputy Mayor Ralph Shape, Councilman Joe Brennan and Councilwoman Terry Anderson opposed it.

Jack Snook, president of the consulting firm, outlined a proposal for a comprehensive study that he estimated would cost between $35,000 to $40,000 and be completed within 90 days.

But Wythe said lawmakers are specifically concerned about the location of the city's headquarters station in McMicken Heights and want a recommendation within 45 days.

The council has voted to expand the current station by acquiring four nearby homes. About $2 million has been spent so far on design plans.

"We are in an uncomfortable position," Wythe commented. "We have sited the fire station but now (the decision) has given us pause."

Shape noted council members discussed a $15,000 contract at their meeting two weeks earlier.

Snook replied that his firm could study station locations and survey fire services in nearby cities for around $17,000. However, the smaller study would not recommend consolidation alternatives with other fire districts.

Fisher said only 6 percent of emergency calls report fires. Especially after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, cities should be focused on consolidating emergency response teams, he added.

The city's fire stations were sited 40 years when SeaTac was much different, Fisher noted.

SeaTac's north-end station is located within three miles of two other fire stations in Tukwila and North Highline.

"Before we spend a pot of money for fire stations, we want them in the right places," Fisher added.

Lawmakers also authorized facilities manager Pat Patterson to move forward with plans for the McMicken Heights station while they decide on the consultant's study.

In other business, the council made changes in the city's command structure to deal with emergencies.

Under the new rules, during an emergency the fire chief, police chief or public works director will be the incident commander with the city manager sitting on a policy committee and managing city government.

Under the old policy, the city manager was the incident commander.

Fisher said the new policy is what Federal Emergency Management Agency officials advocate.

Councilman Tony Anderson said the new structure is a good first step. He expects the new emergency coordinator shared by several area cities including SeaTac will add more ideas.

Shape said he was not convinced the city manager should be removed from the incident commander position.

Lawmakers did adopt a De Han amendment adding the council's transportation and public works chairperson to the emergency policy committee. The mayor, city manager and chairs of two other committees would also serve on the panel.

Fisher also presented Planning Commission Chairwoman Linda Snider with a key to the city for her volunteer services to the city. She is moving with her husband to Arlington.

In turn, Snider praised lawmakers and city staff.

The council's first televised meeting lasted three and a half hours. Lawmakers normally wrap up their business in two hours.

Ward said the meetings would be shown at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day on the city's cable Channel 21. The meetings are not broadcast live.