You take for granted that help will come when you call 9-1-1. But our fire and rescue service is in financial crisis. Quoting Chief Charlie Krimmert: “The costs of the services we provide are more than the revenues we take in. We are about to run out of money.”
Vashon said yes to VIFR’s last tax request 27 years ago. Today, your yes vote restores the $1.50 levy we voted back then. It adds 71 cents a day to an average household tax bill.
VIFR is our island’s 24 hour emergency medical, fire and rescue service. But in the last 27 years, help calls soared from 600+ per year to 1,600+. Four times a week all our on-duty responders are totally committed, leaving no responders for another emergency. Help from the mainland is at least an hour away.
A no vote means VIFR suffers another $1 million+ shortfall in 2018. Staff will be cut, ambulances and engines will go without maintenance; fire stations sold; all reserves exhausted.
A yes vote adds responders and banks reserve funds to replace VIFR’s worn out engines and ambulances.
Your yes vote means responders will continue to come when you call for help.