As a fire district we try hard to provide accurate information to our residents. Unfortunately a recent informational flyer we mailed to all residents of our fire district contained two typographical errors that require clarification.

On Aug. 16, voters are being asked to renew the levy for emergency medical services provided by East Pierce Fire and Rescue for another 10 years. If approved, the levy will continue the present level of services through 2022.

Voters living in communities served by the fire district previously authorized a rate of 50 cents per thousand of assessed value for EMS services. The proposition will simply renew the levy to the same level.

This is not a new tax. Renewing the EMS levy will mean continued funding to operate and maintain emergency medical aid vehicles staffed by firefighters who are also qualified as either EMTs or paramedics.

The funds provide for rapid emergency response and the extensive EMS training required by law. It also allows the district to provide ambulance transport to residents at no out-of-pocket expense to the patient.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue provides life-saving medical assistance to the residents of Pierce County Fire District No. 22, including the cities of Bonney Lake, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, South Prairie, Wilkeson, the Ridge Communities and the area around Lake Tapps – approximately 87,000 people.

In 2010, East Pierce responded to 7,655 total emergency calls. Of those, nearly 75 percent, or 5,667 calls, were EMS-related incidents.

If you have any questions about the EMS levy or what it will do for you as a resident of our district, please call us at 253-863-1800.

Remember to vote on Aug. 16.

Jerry E. Thorson, chief

East Pierce Fire and Rescue