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East Pierce Fire & Rescue

Proposition No. 1
Increasing the Number of Commissioners

Shall the Board of Commissioners of East Pierce Fire & Rescue be increased from five members to seven members?

Yes

No


Washington State Law now allows a seven-member board of commissioners for a fire protection district, with voter approval. For approval, the proposition requires a simple majority of the registered voters casting ballots.

The Board of Fire Commissioners for East Pierce Fire & Rescue (District No. 22) has passed a resolution determining that it would be in the best interest of the district and its citizens to change the number of fire commissioners from five to seven. Authorizing a seven-member Board would increase representation from the community and for the citizens of the community. The fire district has grown so much through mergers and annexation of city service areas, in recent years, that the number of citizens represented by each commissioner has greatly increased. This measure would restore an appropriate ratio or level of representation.

Population growth and the increasing number of 911 responses continues to make the provision of fire and emergency services more complex. A larger Board of elected officials will help to deal with this increasing complexity. This change would also allow the Commissioners to appoint committees of the Board to study issues for presentation to the full Board.

For additional questions regarding this measure contact: Jerry E. Thorson - Fire Chief 253-863-1800 • info@eastpiercefire.org

We urge you to support East Pierce Fire & Rescue’s effort to provide appropriate oversight to the district by approving a seven member Board of Commissioners. Fire Commissioners represent the citizens, provide oversight, approve policies, and develop a budget for your fire district. Adequate representation is important ensuring the fire district continues to provide the best service possible.

Your fire district has grown since 2000 into a large agency providing key fire and emergency medical services to over 85,000 people in 152 square miles of Pierce County. The increase in efficiencies and cost savings has allowed the district to provide a quality emergency service, including no “out of pocket expense” paramedic and transport services, Public Education programs on fire and water safety, a Wildland firefighting Team, a High Angle Rescue team.

Recent state legislation allows for large fire districts to have seven commissioners, to small cities and towns. The East Pierce Fire Commissioners voted unanimously to place this issue on the ballot to allow all areas of the district better representation on crucial issues to all citizens. 

Please join us in supporting a seven member Board of Fire Commissioners for representation for all in our diverse community, by voting yes.

Statement submitted by: Dale Mitchell, Victor Proulx and Richard Kuss

No statement submitted.

Statements in favor of and in opposition to a ballot measure are submitted by committees appointed by the jurisdiction. No persons came forward to serve on the committee and to write a statement in opposition. If you would like to be involved with a committee in the future please contact the jurisdiction.

Simple Majority (RCW 52.14.015)

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