Firefighters able, dedicated

As Spokane County Fire District 4 asks voters to restore its tax levy for one year to fund equipment and property upgrades, operations and staffing, I would like to highlight a few pertinent facts about the organization.

FD 4 provides 24-hour staffing of four stations at an annual per-capita cost which is significantly below average for comparable fire protection and EMS service around Spokane County and Washington state. Simply stated, the taxpayers are getting a great deal.

This is accomplished mainly through our reliance on volunteer, part-time and resident firefighters. To qualify as emergency responders, these individuals must, at a minimum, successfully complete 240 hours of fire and EMS, wildland fire and hazardous materials training. Just to become a volunteer firefighter.

During 2009 alone, FD 4 volunteers provided over 56,000 hours in emergency response, duty shifts and mandatory training. The most often stated reason for this level of commitment is a desire to “give back” to the community. Please support them with a yes vote Feb. 9.

Mike Gentry

Mead