Camano Fire faces rising call volumes and costs

Jan. 27, 2025

Each year, the number of calls received by Camano Island Fire and Rescue (CIFR) climbs. Emergency personnel respond to an annual average of 2,400 calls, with 68% of them needing emergency medical services (EMS).

With the growing call volume, the fire department is facing sharp cost increases across its operations. Since 2020, the cost of fuel has risen by 46%, EMS equipment by 45%, and apparatus repairs are up 65%.

“We’re doing everything we can to stretch taxpayer dollars further than ever,” said Fire Chief Levon Yengoyan. “But we are facing significant challenges that may impact our ability to provide the rapid, high-quality services our community expects.”

CIFR is an independent taxing district and receives no funding from Island County. Operating under a balanced budget and a five-year Strategic Plan developed with community input, the district prioritizes strong financial management. They have earned a high rating for practices such as leveraging grants, sharing costs with neighboring agencies, and paying cash for expenses to avoid debt.

Daily operations are funded by two voter-approved levies:

  • Fire Levy: Approved at $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023.
  • EMS Levy: Approved at $0.50 per $1,000 in 2021. This has since fallen to $0.37 per $1,000 due to rising property values and state limits on revenue growth.

Even as property values increase, state law caps levy revenue growth at 1% annually, limiting the fire department’s ability to keep up with inflation and rising costs.

For more information, visit www.camanofire.com.