911 N 65 Ave Ridgefield, WA 98642 360-887-4609 www.clarkfr.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 12, 2017 CONTACT: Fire Chief John Nohr [email protected] O (360) 887-4609 C (360) 606-9461
Clark County Fire & Rescue schedules meetings to answer questions about lid lift Fire chief also available to speak to community groups
RIDGEFIELD, WASH. — Clark County Fire & Rescue is asking voters to approve a 9-cent fire levy lid lift to replace aging apparatus and rehire seven to nine firefighters to reduce emergency response times district-wide. If approved by voters, the lid lift would cost the owner of a $300,000 home an additional $2.25 per month ($27 per year).
CCF&R is holding two public meetings to answer questions about the proposal before community members vote their ballots in time for the August 1 Primary Election. The meetings will be held July 22 (9-10 a.m.) and July 27 (6-7 p.m.) at Station 21, 911 N 65th Ave., Ridgefield, Wash.
CCF&R has sustained more than $10.4 million in revenue losses due to a poor economy. To maintain a balanced budget, it laid off 11 firefighters, as well as seven administrative and support personnel. Two stations have been shuttered, and emergency response times have increased district-wide.
Recently, the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau informed CCF&R that it has downgraded the insurance rating for part of the district. The WSRB rating is connected to the amount property owners pay for fire insurance as part of their overall premiums.
“We have an obligation to share all things – good and bad – with our community. That’s called transparency,” said Fire Chief John Nohr. “And, the good news is that we can fix this and get back to where we need to be.”
CCF&R has seen an increase in emergency call volumes by 10.6% from 2014 to 2016. (This data represents just emergency calls from within the fire district and Woodland.) The fire district completed a Strategic Plan last year, which calls for adding firefighters to reduce response times and replacing aging apparatus.
The lid lift will allow CCF&R to provide a higher level of service district-wide with additional units being staffed by emergency personnel to respond to emergencies. This is particularly important when back-to-back emergency calls happen, which is increasing for the fire district.
“Our number one priority is to add personnel to reduce emergency response times district-wide,” said Chief Nohr. “We must do better. Lives are depending on it.” Community members unable to attend the meetings are encouraged to contact Fire Chief John Nohr with their questions at [email protected] or (360) 887-4609. Chief Nohr also is available to speak to community groups about the fire levy lid lift. Please contact his office to schedule a time.
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Clark County Fire & Rescue (CCF&R) serves 40,000 people over 153 square miles, including the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, and Woodland. Our combination department includes full-time and volunteer firefighters responding to an average of 3,600 fire and emergency medical calls a year. CCF&R operates under a balanced budget, and has a history of passing independent financial audits by the state.