The SeaTac Fire Department cannot merge with the Kent Regional Fire Authority but SeaTac lawmakers are looking at contracting with the agency to save costs.

Contracting would be similar to what SeaTac already does with its police department. SeaTac, as well as Burien contract for police services with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

SeaTac already shares a fire chief, fire marshal and firefighter training with Kent.

City officials looked at merging with Kent fire but discovered a legal glitch, according to fire chief Jim Schneider.

Under state law, the Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac International Airport, cannot be levied a “fire benefit charge” on its property, Schneider said. The airport makes up a large portion of the city.

Fire departments assess homeowners and property owners the fire benefit charge to pay for services. Commercial properties are charged at a high rate than family residences.

The Port has its own fire department but in the case of a plane crash or other major incident, the city’s firefighters would also quickly respond, Schneider noted.

SeaTac could continue as a separate department but the city would need to hire a fire chief.

SeaTac and the Kent regional department signed an interlocal agreement in 2010 that provides a fire chief, fire marshal and training.

“It has been cost effective and created a strong partnership,” Schneider said at the March 27 SeaTac council meeting.

Council members did not voice any support for returning to a separate department.

Schneider noted that North Highline and Burien have consolidated. Des Moines and Federal Way also merged into South King Fire and Rescue.

Schneider proposed beginning an exploratory process to study consolidation through a contract. He said it would likely take about 18 months for consolidation.

SeaTac firefighters would become employees of the Kent regional authority. A board governs the district.

In response to a question about SeaTac firefighters’ attitudes about a consolidation, Dave Little, a member of the firefighters union executive board, praised the training provided by Kent.

Schneider said another benefit of consolidation is increased chances of promotions and job changes in a larger department with higher turnover.

Councilman Dave Bush declared, “This is the way of the future” and asked that the proposal be placed on the council’s consent agenda at a future meeting.