Thank you for supporting Camano Island Fire & Rescue
Camano Island Fire and Rescue (CIFR) provides fire and life safety services to approximately 17,500 people over 40 square miles. We rely on full-time, part-time and volunteer emergency personnel who respond to an average of 2,400 calls per year, with 68% of those for emergency medical services (EMS).
Our emergency personnel are highly trained in the following areas:
- Fire suppression and prevention
- EMS
- Water and technical rescue
- Hazardous material response
- Vehicle accidents and extrication
- Fire and life safety education
We are accountable to you
CIFR is governed by a five-member Board of Fire Commissioners elected from our community. We take financial responsibility seriously, operating under a balanced budget and passing all independent audits
- We pay cash instead of borrowing, saving taxpayers money on interest.
- We have earned an AA rating with Standard & Poor’s for responsible fiscal management.
- We are guided by our five-year Strategic Plan, which was developed with community input.
- We pursue grants, partner with neighboring fire agencies to share costs, and maintain apparatus to extend their lifespan.
How we fund emergency services
We receive zero funding from the Island County government. We are a separate taxing district funded by two voter-approved property tax levies – one for fire and another for EMS.
- EMS Levy: Approved at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2021. Since then, the rate has fallen to $0.37 per $1,000. The EMS levy must be renewed by voters every six years.
- Fire Levy: Approved at $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023.
Why does the EMS levy rate decrease?
Each year, we are only allowed to collect a set amount of revenue. State law limits us to that amount plus one percent more each year. Even if property values double, we can only collect one percent more.
This means the levy rate falls as property values rise to limit our budget to the same amount each year plus that one percent increase. This is called “levy erosion” and impacts our ability to provide emergency services.
Why renew the EMS levy now?
Calls to our fire district are increasing. EMS accounts for 68% of all emergency calls we receive. The growing demand for service along with rising prices for goods and services means we face steep cost increases across our operations. Since 2020, we have seen the following increases:
- Fuel costs rose 46%
- EMS equipment costs are up 45%
- Apparatus repair costs increased 65%
The Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution Monday, March 10, to place an emergency medical services (EMS) levy renewal on the August 5, 2025, primary election ballot. The Board is asking voters to renew the EMS levy at the previously approved rate of $0.50 per $1,000.
What would an EMS renewal fund?
The EMS renewal will last for six years and fund the following items:
- Additional EMS personnel to improve response times
- A Lucas Device (automated CPR) to improve patient survival rates
- Advanced EMS training for all personnel
- Replacement of an ambulance
- A new cardiac monitor/defibrillator for lifesaving treatment
What will this cost me?*
The $0.13 levy renewal would cost the owner of a $650,000 home (the median assessed value for the area, per the County Assessor) an additional $7.04 per month or $84.50 per year.
Fire Chief Levon Yengoyan welcomes your questions at lyengoyan@camanofire.com or 360-387-1512.
* Homeowners who are 61 years or older and others who meet income and eligibility requirements may qualify for a property tax exemption. Contact the Island County Assessor at 360-679-7303 or online at www.islandcountywa.gov/269/Exemptions to see if you qualify.