Franklin County Fire District #3 Plans Public Meetings Over Emergency Medical Service Funding

Three public meetings will be held in the coming weeks about adding onto their existing levy so they can continue EMS for the district.

Fire District #3 covers all of Northern Franklin County outside of the City of Pasco,  is seeking what is called lid lift on it's levy to raise funding so they can continue the Emergency Medical Services (ambulance) program.

The District began offering it's own ambulance service after costs of it's contract with the City of Pasco became far too expensive.   The bulk of their calls are medically-related, and unless the District can add to, or lift, it's current levy,   EMS service in the District will end in early 2014.

The lift would add about $64 dollars a year to a homeowner who's house has a value of $200,000.   It would be about half of that for a home valued at $100,000.   The rate would be $.32 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value in the home.

According to the District, the funding would go to a variety of EMS-related services:

'Funds pay for ambulances, medical supplies, equipment, training, and wages or stipends for firefighters, who are also emergency medical technicians (EMTs)."

The District will be holding three public meetings to give information to residents of Fire District #3:

·     -   Wednesday, October 16^th – 12 noon – Fire Station #34, 2108 Road 84, Pasco, Wash.

·      -   Tuesday, October 22^nd – 6:00 pm – Fire Station #34, 2108 Road 84, Pasco, Wash.

·     -    Saturday, November 2^nd – 8:00 a.m. – Fire Station #31, 5640 Pasco-Kahlotus Road, Pasco, Wash.

Citizens who cannot make these meetings can call the District at 509-547-9306 to get more information.