Support Newman Lake fire station

April’s ballot will contain Proposition 1 for Newman Lake Fire and Rescue to build a new station. Our fire district has 24 volunteers, a paid chief and part-time deputy chief. They are working out of an aging building that is not up to current standards. The facilities for cleanup after contamination during a call are unsafe. There isn’t adequate room for training or modern equipment.

Why is this important to me? Twenty-four of my neighbors have volunteered to help my family and me in medical emergencies, and to protect our property. The least I can do is pay a little more in taxes to give them a safer, healthier and more workable environment.

I was struck by the fact that 12 of the 14 responders killed in the West Fertilizer Co. plant explosion in Texas last year were volunteers. While I hope that such a tragedy never occurs in our community, it brings home just what our firefighters are volunteering to do.

I will vote yes to support NLFR with a safe and up-to-date station. I urge my fellow community members to do the same.

Deb Davis

Newman Lake