For many years, East Pierce Fire & Rescue has asked the voters repeatedly to renew its emergency medical services (EMS) levy.  Under current state law, however, the Fire Department can ask the voters to extend this levy for a 10-year period.

The Board of East Pierce Fire & Rescue has passed a resolution requesting an election to authorize a property tax levy in an amount not to exceed fifty cents per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation, each year for ten (10) successive years. This levy would re-establish the voter-approved EMS levy at 50 cents and would provide sufficient EMS revenue to fund the district’s Paramedic program, including the salaries, equipment and medical supplies of firefighter paramedics, and the cost to deliver critical advanced life support care and emergency ambulance transport service.

Approximately 75% of the calls for service by the district are EMS calls.  Growth and call volume have increased during the last several years since the voters first approved an EMS levy.  The regular property tax levy does not provide funds for an adequate level of emergency medical services.  Without this levy approval the district would not be able to maintain its current excellent level of service.