Letter to the Editor from Board Chair

Aug. 29, 2023

 

Dear Editor,

The Board of Fire Commissioners for Camano Island Fire & Rescue wants to thank community members for participating in recent meetings to learn more about the fire levy lid lift that will appear on the November general election ballot. Unlike other property taxes, 100 percent of the fire levy stays on the island to save lives and property.

Our call volumes have increased by 28 percent since 2017 and overlapping calls happen 20 percent of the time. We require more firefighters and paramedics to respond to emergencies.

The lid lift would fund up to six additional emergency personnel over the next three years. This will allow us to staff another medic unit with a paramedic to provide the highest level of pre-hospital care possible called “Advanced Life Support.”

The lid lift will also fund the renovation of the Mabana station to allow for 24-hour staffing. This will reduce response times in the south end of our island and improve service reliability across the district.

More information is on our website at www.camanofire.com.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jerry Evans, Board Chair

Camano Island Fire & Rescue Board of Commissioners