How to Contact EPSCA

Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA)

The Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA), an emergency regional radio access service provider operation, was established on May 26, 1992, by an Interlocal Agreement, pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Chapter 39.34 RCW, among the Cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Mercer Island (Principals), municipal corporations organized under the laws of the state of Washington.  The Interlocal Agreement was amended June 10, 1993, to include the City of Issaquah as an additional principal in EPSCA's governance.  The duration of this agreement was for ten years, and under the terms set forth in Resolution R-18 as approved by majority vote of the Executive Board in regular open meeting on April 11, 2002 it was extended for a subsequent five (5) year period until May 18, 2007.  EPSCA began principal operations in December 1995.

EPSCA is governed by an Executive Board (Board), which is composed of the Chief Executive officers of the Principals.  The Executive Board is responsible for review and approval of all budgetary, financial and contractual matters.

An Operations Committee (Committee), composed of the Chief of Police and Fire Chief of each Principal, reports to the Board and oversees budget preparation, rates, revenues, expenditures, policies and other operational issues.  This Committee also includes representation from non-Principal EPSCA user agencies.

EPSCA has developed an Eastside radio communications system which is integrated with a regional radio communications network.  Its capital funding derives from a September 15, 1992 voter-approved King County excess property tax levy of $57,016,764.  EPSCA's portion of the levy was $10,004,469.

Operating revenues derive from fees charged to the Principals for communications services and from subscriber fees for communications services.

The Interlocal Agreement among the Eastside Cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Issaquah provides for a weighted vote according to the proportion of each Principal's system radios in relation to the total number of system radios used by all Principals.  As of December 31, 2006, the weighted vote was as follows:

            Bellevue                        51.93%
            Redmond                      18.14%
            Kirkland                        17.79%
            Mercer Island                6.51%
            Issaquah                      5.64%

                                    100.00%

These percentages are reviewed and adjusted annually at January 1 based on the number of radios on the system in use by current principals as of December 31 of the preceding year.

In August of 1993, EPSCA entered into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, pursuant to Chapter 39.34 RCW, with King County, Seattle and Valley Communications (Subregions), municipal corporations organized under the laws of the state of Washington.  This agreement governs the development, acquisition and installation of the regional emergency radio communication system (System).

EPSCA staff consists of an Operations Manager, Senior Accounting Associate, Office Assistant and 800 MHz System Technician. 

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CURRENT EPSCA SUBSCRIBERS
July 6, 2006

Bellevue Community College
City of Bellevue Fire / Police / General Government
Bellevue School District
City of Bothell Fire / Police Department
Clyde Hill Police Department
Eastside Fire & Rescue
Eastside Hazardous Material Consortium
Evergreen Hospital
Evergreen Medics (service now being provided by Redmond Fire and Shoreline Fire)
Group Health Eastside
City of Issaquah Police Department
Issaquah School District
City of Kirkland Fire / Police / General Government
Lake Forest Park Police Department
Lake Forest Park Public Works Department
Lake Washington School District
Medina Police Department
City of Mercer Island Fire / Police / General Government
Mercer Island School District
City of Newcastle
Northshore Fire Department
Northshore School District
Northshore Utility District
Overlake Hospital
City of Redmond Fire / Police / General Government
Ronald WasteWater District
City of Shoreline
Shoreline Fire Department  
Woodinville Fire Department
City of Woodinville