SOUTH WHIDBEY: Fire/EMS proposes levy lid lift (SWR)

Kira Erickson reports from the South Whidbey Fire/EMS District for the South Whidbey Record.

Staffing challenges and outdated equipment have led South Whidbey Fire/EMS officials to consider asking voters to approve a levy lid lift in 2024.

Voters last approved a fire levy rate of 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2021, but increasing property values have since compressed the rate to 81 cents. Because of this, the district is proposing a new rate of $1.20 to meet its needs.…

The levy represents 96% of the district’s revenue. In updating the strategic plan and the budget for 2024, it was discovered that additional revenue is needed to continue maintaining service for South Whidbey residents. This year, the community will have the chance to weigh in on the proposed levy lid lift, which the district hopes to have on the ballot.

For more information, visit swfe.org/fire-levy.

They Said It

The price of replacing aging equipment has risen in recent years, according to Fire Chief Nick Walsh, who said a $600,000 fire engine now costs $1 million…. And receiving the equipment is another issue – Walsh said it can take up to two years for an engine to be delivered.

At the same time, the district requires more paid full-time personnel to cut down response times, which currently average about 14 minutes per call.

“When you’re dealing with cardiac arrest or a fire, cutting your time in half is very impactful,” Walsh said.

[Another] goal is to hire two more firefighters per year over five years, which Walsh said would improve response times by five minutes on average. The annual estimated cost is $300,000.

Call volumes have increased by 26% in the last 10 years, according to Walsh. The most common call is medical-related.