The Board of Fire Commissioners voted to place a measure on the February Special Election ballot. Voters will be asked to approve a bond for facilities.
Why another bond vote?
The original bond initiative failed by 28 votes. Furthermore, there were ballots that did not have the bond initiative on them – anywhere from 134-287. Therefore, we are re-running the station bond initiative so that all of our voters get a chance for their input. This past bond vote proves that every vote does count.
Also, the need for stations has not changed. The Fire District first proposed replacing these stations in 2005. The need, along with our record-breaking call volume has increased since that time.
What is in it for me?
Simply put, better emergency services. The main goal of any emergency service is to reduce response times. By replacing these stations, we will be able to add additional volunteer staffing to our current staffing which will provide better response times. With the passing of our levy increase, we are now able to provide guaranteed coverage 7 days per week, 6am to 6pm. These stations will allow us to expand our volunteer staffing model and decrease our response times 5-10 minutes.
Furthermore, we will be able to house a staffed ambulance 24/7 at each fire station, reducing ambulance response times anywhere from 5 to 40 minutes. We are not planning on running our own ambulance, but plan to partner with Deer Park ambulance, our current provider.
What will be housed at each station?
Over time, this can vary. The main components of each station would be our career staff, residence firefighters and our traditional volunteers who will be able to work shifts and respond from home.
Equipment-wise, our goal is have a brush truck, fire engine, water tender, a duty truck and an emergency ambulance at each station.
Each station will also have living quarters for our fire crews and the emergency ambulance crews. This would include a day-room, bunk-rooms and kitchen facilities.
Safety areas would include a storage room for fire gear, decontamination shower and exhaust extraction so firefighters do not breathe the diesel fumes (a known carcinogen).
The long-term plan does allow for a ladder truck to be place at either or both stations without modification.
What if I don’t live in Suncrest or Loon Lake?
Each station serves more than just these two communities. They are designed to help supplement the volunteer stations in our other six communities. Even if you do not live in either community, you will see reduced response times.
Many times the Suncrest and Loon Lake stations respond outside of their areas to assist in other areas of the Fire District. This happens during our “big events,” such as the 231 Fire or the Carpenter Road Fire. This is why we are making these two stations our operational hubs – they reach and affect so many other areas of our Fire District.
What will this cost me?
The bond is $6.5 million for both stations over a 20-year period. The original project cost was for $7.9 million.
To break that cost down, the average assessed home value (NOT the market value) in our Fire District is $100,000. That breaks down to just $2.93 per month for the added fire and EMS protection. That is $35.16 per year or $703.20 for the 20-year life of the bond. If you take into account potential insurance savings of a modest $24 per year, then the cost of the bond drops to just 93 cents per month. There are some additional tax-deductions available as part of your property taxes, as well.
Assessed Property Value
Amount Per Month*
Amount Per Year*
$100,000
$2.93
$35.16
$200,000
$5.86
$70.32
$300,000
$8.79
$105.48
*Before potential insurance and tax deduction savings
What if I need more information?
You can contact the Fire District and arrange a presentation for your community group or club or you can contact Fire Chief Mike Bucy for more information.
Proposed Funding Measure
The Board of Fire Commissioners voted to place a measure on the February Special Election ballot. Voters will be asked to approve a bond for facilities.
Why another bond vote?
The original bond initiative failed by 28 votes. Furthermore, there were ballots that did not have the bond initiative on them – anywhere from 134-287. Therefore, we are re-running the station bond initiative so that all of our voters get a chance for their input. This past bond vote proves that every vote does count.
Also, the need for stations has not changed. The Fire District first proposed replacing these stations in 2005. The need, along with our record-breaking call volume has increased since that time.
What is in it for me?
Simply put, better emergency services. The main goal of any emergency service is to reduce response times. By replacing these stations, we will be able to add additional volunteer staffing to our current staffing which will provide better response times. With the passing of our levy increase, we are now able to provide guaranteed coverage 7 days per week, 6am to 6pm. These stations will allow us to expand our volunteer staffing model and decrease our response times 5-10 minutes.
Furthermore, we will be able to house a staffed ambulance 24/7 at each fire station, reducing ambulance response times anywhere from 5 to 40 minutes. We are not planning on running our own ambulance, but plan to partner with Deer Park ambulance, our current provider.
What will be housed at each station?
Over time, this can vary. The main components of each station would be our career staff, residence firefighters and our traditional volunteers who will be able to work shifts and respond from home.
Equipment-wise, our goal is have a brush truck, fire engine, water tender, a duty truck and an emergency ambulance at each station.
Each station will also have living quarters for our fire crews and the emergency ambulance crews. This would include a day-room, bunk-rooms and kitchen facilities.
Safety areas would include a storage room for fire gear, decontamination shower and exhaust extraction so firefighters do not breathe the diesel fumes (a known carcinogen).
The long-term plan does allow for a ladder truck to be place at either or both stations without modification.
What if I don’t live in Suncrest or Loon Lake?
Each station serves more than just these two communities. They are designed to help supplement the volunteer stations in our other six communities. Even if you do not live in either community, you will see reduced response times.
Many times the Suncrest and Loon Lake stations respond outside of their areas to assist in other areas of the Fire District. This happens during our “big events,” such as the 231 Fire or the Carpenter Road Fire. This is why we are making these two stations our operational hubs – they reach and affect so many other areas of our Fire District.
What will this cost me?
The bond is $6.5 million for both stations over a 20-year period. The original project cost was for $7.9 million.
To break that cost down, the average assessed home value (NOT the market value) in our Fire District is $100,000. That breaks down to just $2.93 per month for the added fire and EMS protection. That is $35.16 per year or $703.20 for the 20-year life of the bond. If you take into account potential insurance savings of a modest $24 per year, then the cost of the bond drops to just 93 cents per month. There are some additional tax-deductions available as part of your property taxes, as well.
What if I need more information?
You can contact the Fire District and arrange a presentation for your community group or club or you can contact Fire Chief Mike Bucy for more information.
509-262-9660
PROPOSED FLOOR PLANS
Station 8 Suncrest
Station 2 Loon Lake
Property Tax Exemptions for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons
MEDIA RELEASES
Fire district sounds alarm – 021915
Improving communications with taxpayers – 031115
Prepare for wildland fire season – 041515
Fire district to hold public meetings – 051515
Fire District 1 Board Votes on Bond and Levy June 15 – 06042015
Fire District 1 Board Passes Resolution 07072015
Fire district running thin – 091115
Public invited to meetings – 10092015
Frequently Asked Questions SCFPD1 – 10142015
Final Reminder – 10232015
Fire District 1 to Re-Run Station Bond After Ballot Issues – 01142016
IN THE NEWS
Stevens County Firefighters calling in 911
KXLY – February 25, 2015
Brush fire burns yard in Springdale – March 9, 2015
KXLY – March 11, 2015
KXLY – April 16, 2015
Three dead at scene of early morning fire – The Spokesman Review – May 26, 2015
Wildfires expected to burn bigger and longer this year – June 9, 2015
DNR increases fire danger level in Northeastern Washington – June 10, 2015
KXLY – Early fire season leaves local property owners worried – June 19, 2015
KXLY – Wildfire burning near Suncrest Park – June 20, 2015
KXLY – Multiple weekend fires in early start to wildfire season – June 21, 2015
KXLY – DNR expands burn ban – June 22, 2015
Great Falls Tribute (Montana) – Fire forecast predicted to be above normal – June 24, 2015
KXLY – Crews from across the state battling Rail Canyon Fire – July 4, 2015
KULR8 – Two fires burning in Stevens County – July 3, 2015
The Spokesman Review – Crews battle flames near Colville, Springdale – July 5, 2015
abcFox – 231 Fire: Evacuation orders lifted Sunday – July 4, 2015
KXLY – Rail Canyon Fire at 25-percent containment – July 6, 2015
KHQ – Firefighters pulling double duty – July 16, 2015
The Seattle Times – Fire spreads from Stevens County home, closes highway – July 29, 2015
SFGate – Fire spreads from Stevens County home, closes highway – July 29, 2015
KXLY – Brush fire shuts down US 395 near Clayton – July 29, 2015
The Register-Guard – Washington fire destroys home, closes highway – July 30, 2015
The Spokesman Review – Fire danger now ‘extreme’ in Spokane County – August 4, 2015
KHQ – Firefighting resources stretched thin – August 17, 2015
Krem 2 – Stevens Co. lacks resources to fight fires – August 18, 2015
Krem 2 – National Guard not helping with fires in Stevens Co. – August 18, 2015
Krem 2 – Poor visibility grounds Stevens Co. fire planes – August 19, 2015
The Los Angeles Times – When a Washington fire chief called for help, no one was left – August 19, 2015
KXLY.com – Officials determine Carpenter Road Fire human-caused – September 14, 2015
Krem 2 – Fire Chief says system failed during wildfire season – September 22, 2015
The Spokesman Review – McMorris Rodgers, Cantwell told to prepare for next year’s wildfire season – October 14, 2015
Capital Press – Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers weigh fire management, funding – October 15, 2015
Chewelah Independent – Fire District 1 Seeks Lid Lift, Bond to Meet Increased Demand – October 29, 2015
Deer Park Tribune – SCFD1 must wait on additional election results – November 4, 2015