MUKILTEO—The Mukilteo Fire Department is asking voters to consider renewing the levy for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during the August 6, 2024, primary election. The levy renewal would hire additional emergency personnel and fund ambulance and medical equipment replacement to respond to higher call volumes.
Residents are encouraged to attend one of two public meetings hosted by Fire Chief Glen Albright to ask questions and learn more:
- Monday, July 22 at 7 p.m. at Fire Station 25 (10400 47th Place W.)
- Saturday, July 27 at 9 a.m. at Rosehill Community Center (304 Lincoln Ave.)
EMS is the most widely-used emergency service by city residents and accounts for 78% of all emergency calls for the Mukilteo Fire Department. Call volumes have increased over the past several years, but the EMS levy rate has decreased in the same time period.
Mukilteo Fire Department is asking voters to consider renewing the levy for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during the August 6, 2024 primary election. Please VOTE!
Here's Chief Glen Albright with more information! pic.twitter.com/yYPwC9mwkD
— Mukilteo Fire (@MukilteoFire) July 10, 2024
The city funds fire suppression through its general property tax, but EMS is funded by a separate levy.
“Our costs for everything–firefighters, equipment, medical supplies–have increased an average of five percent per year,” says Fire Chief Glen Albright. With the city limited to a one percent revenue increase per year, response times and service levels are facing challenges.
The Mukilteo Fire Department is asking voters to return the EMS levy to the previously voter-approved amount of $0.50 per $1,000. The lid lift would fund up to six more firefighters/Emergency Medical Technicians, advanced medical training, ambulances, and medical equipment and supplies.
The average homeowner (defined now as $814,000) would pay an additional $15 per month or $180 per year for a 24-hour Basic (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) response. ALS is the highest level of pre-hospital care possible to improve patient outcomes.
Please attend an upcoming information session, visit https://mukilteowa.gov/, or contact Chief Albright at galbright@mukilteowa.gov or 425-263-8151.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
