As a local businessperson operating Buds and Blooms on the Enumclaw Plateau for the past 10 years and living here for the past 35 years, I am asking you to join me in voting “yes” on the proposed fire levy lid lift this fall. As a business owner, resident and volunteer firefighter in Fire District 28, I have a vested interest on several levels in seeing this levy lid lift pass.

The Enumclaw Fire Department/KCFD 28 is asking for an increase in funding so that they can continue to keep our homes and businesses safe without reducing firefighters and relying more on volunteers like me and surrounding fire departments. Both of which would increase the response times to emergency calls. I think what they’re asking for is modest and is worth the security of knowing our homes, businesses and family members are protected by an adequate number of firefighters to enter a burning building or respond to concurrent medical emergencies.

If this levy fails our fire insurance rates will most likely go up as a result. Personally I would rather pay our local fire district so they can respond in a timely manner because an insurance payout won’t save my loved ones but a well-trained firefighter getting there fast certainly could.

I don’t want to lose sleep at night knowing that my business or home may be at increased risk because there are not enough firefighters on duty to respond to an emergency in a timely manner. Please join me in voting “yes” for the levy lid lift in King County Fire District 28 so we can all sleep easy at night.

Lucas Christenson

Enumclaw