PORT TOWNSEND – Port of Port Townsend commissioners unanimously voted on Wednesday to have port staff draft an interlocal agreement to build a new fire station at Jefferson County International Airport.

The agreement is expected to be signed by the port and Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 in the next two weeks.

“This is a very important item for us,” said Herb Beck, District 3 Port commissioner from Quilcene.

Fire District 1 commissions agreed.

“I’m more than confident in working with the port,” said Rich Stapf, chairman.

“You’re getting a lot of head nods from us,” he told port commissioners.

“It’s a great example of public agencies teaming up to provide a needed infrastructure and needed service,” Stapf said later.

East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Chief Mike Mingee presented a proposal for an airport fire station at Wednesday’s port meeting.

Mingee estimated construction cost at between $1.5 million and $2 million.

He is hopeful that grants will pay for much of the construction costs.

The station could be completed and ready for use in early 2010.