An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy is a property tax approved by the voters of the Fire District.  The revenues from the EMS levy may only be used for the provision of emergency medical care or emergency medical services, including related personnel costs, training for such personnel, and related equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures need for the provision of EMS services.

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue needs an EMS levy to sustain our Advanced Life Support (ALS)/Paramedic service levels.  The Fire District started providing ALS level services in 2012 and the demands for those services has continued to grow.  Funding for the ALS program comes from the existing fire levy but as the cost to provide ALS services has grown, the need to have a dedicated funding source specifically for EMS service delivery has also grown.  Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue currently does not have a EMS Levy.

Yes.  Most Counties, Fire Districts, and Cities in Washington State that provide ALS level of services have existing EMS levies to support those programs.  Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue is one of three public agencies in Clallam County licensed as an Advanced Life Support Trauma Verified agency.  The other two, Clallam County Fire District #3 and the Port Angeles Fire Department, have a previously approved EMS levy or Medic 1 Utility Tax in place to help fund those programs. 

The Fire Commissioners and staff are aware that our citizens are concerned about their property taxes.  In 2012 the decision was made to start providing an ALS level of service using funding from the existing regular fire levy.  While this saved taxpayer money initially by diverting funds from the regular fire levy to support the ALS services, this is not a long term sustainable solution.

The Fire District is putting forth to the voters a $0.50/per thousand EMS Levy on the August 6th, 2024 primary ballot.

Cost for homeowners

$300,000 home       =        $150 a year/$12.50 per month

$400,000 home       =        $200 a year/$16.66 per month

$500,000 home       =        $250 a year/$20.83 per month

The EMS levy is a 10-year levy and would need to be re-authorized by voters when it is due to expire in 2034.

The revenues may be used only for the provision of emergency medical care or emergency medical services, including related personnel costs, training for such personnel, and related equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures needed for the provision of emergency medical care or emergency medical services (see RCW 84.52.069(5)).

The highest priority for a successful EMS Levy for Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue is to ensure the long-term stability of the Fire District’s ALS/Paramedic program.  This will include;

•  Funding EMS supplies and equipment
•  Establishing a capital purchase fund for replacement of larger EMS required items such as cardiac monitors, gurneys, and ambulances
• Sustaining funding for our existing career staff which includes 4 firefighter/paramedics and 5 firefighter/EMTs
• Hire three additional firefighter/paramedics/EMTs to increase staffing at Fire Station 22 in Dry Creek.  Currently this station is only staffed Mon-Thurs 7 AM – 6 PM.  By hiring 3 more positions, we will be able to staff this station 7 days a week during peak demand times (Fire Station 22 currently does not have living quarters for 24 hour staffing)
• Establish a program to eliminate ambulance transport balance billing for residents of the Fire District.  This will allow the fire district to bill insurance companies and “write off” the balance of the bill for our residents.