BRINNON — When the year 2015 rolls around, the Brinnon fire district will have full-time, around-the-clock emergency medical services coverage, thanks to voters approving a new levy for services, the fire chief said.
As of Tuesday night, the six-year emergency medical service levy presented to the Brinnon district’s voters had received enough votes above the required supermajority mark of 60 percent that Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said her office, “doesn’t see anything changing in the Brinnon election.”
The vote was 375 in favor of the proposed levy, or 67.32 percent, to 182, or 32.68 percent, against it.
Ballots in the all-mail election went only to those living within the fire district. Voter turnout was 58.12 percent.
Eldridge said she expects to see 25 to 30 additional ballots come in from the Brinnon district — not enough to change the outcome of the election.
Brinnon Fire Chief Bob Herbst said he was thrilled with the results.
“The numbers mean a lot to me,” Herbst said. “It shows me the community understands what we we need to do here.
“In the next six years of the levy, we have to show them it’s all worth it now.
“The ultimate goal here is to provide 24-7 paramedic service in Brinnon by the end of the next six years.
“I’m positive we are going to get there, and we will be sure the community is right there with us, every step of the way.”
The six-year levy will impose an annual levy of 50 cents per $1,000 of property valuation on property owners within the 131-square-mile district, which includes sections of the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest.
The owner of a $125,000 home — the estimated median value of a home in the district, according to Herbst — will pay $62.50 a year to fund the district’s new emergency medical services division.
EMS services
The levy will generate about $130,000 annually to hire a full-time paramedic and provide improved EMS services to the district’s 3,200 residents, Herbst said.
The EMS budget will total about $172,000 when timber taxes, investment interest and ambulance fees are added.
The district’s $261,000 fire services budget for 2009 now covers EMS costs, taking a 72 percent chunk of fire services revenue. With the approval of the EMS levy, the fire budget is now relieved of that burden.
Herbst said he sees the levy as a chance to prove to the community what can be done with a fully operational fire and emergency services staff.
“The community can look at it again after six years,” Herbst said.
“If it doesn’t look like it was worth it, then it goes away.
“If it does look like it was worth it, then we will renew it.”
District’s plan
Herbst said the plan is to first hire two full-time firefighter/EMTs bringing his full time staff to three on-duty firefighter/EMTs.
The levy will then pay for them to train, and become intermediate level EMTs.
In the third year, the district will consider hiring a full-time paramedic for the district.
Also, a new aide car will be purchased to replace a 1997 ambulance.
“With this levy, we are going to build the foundation for medical coverage in the district,” Herbst said.
“We are going to be able to plan ahead, set aside some money and be prepared for the next 20 years in some areas.
“It’s a great feeling to have this pass, and it’s a great deal for the district.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
