Fire levy is vital

I am the physician adviser for Spokane County Fire District No. 8. This August, residents in a 110-square mile of South Spokane County will be asked to vote yes on a maintenance and operation levy. I cannot state how passionate I feel about this fire district.

Rapid response has been shown to be the best predictor of survival in a catastrophic situation. Several years ago, paramedics were added to the district team. Since then many lives have been saved and countless other individuals have had their illness and trauma events mitigated due to the presence of these individuals.

The levy, if passed, will provide for a paramedic at each of the five fire stations at all times, provide for adequate staffing when multiple calls come at the same time and, of course, decrease response time on all calls, including fires, residential and woodland. There will, if the levy passes, be more overall firefighters and basic life support-trained individuals.

The ballots are out, and I ask that there be a yes vote, and also that you encourage your neighbors to do the same. Stay safe and be well.

Michael Metcalf, M.D.

Spokane