Thank you for supporting Fire District 4.

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Snohomish County Fire District 4 provides fire and life safety services to approximately 32,000 people and 60 square miles. Our fire district responds to around 4,300 calls a year, more than 80% of which are for emergency medical service (EMS).

 

The fire district operates under a balanced budget and has passed all its independent financial audits. The support of our community means that we can provide the highest level and quality of emergency services possible.

 

We want you to know how we are funded.

 

SCFD4 is funded by a fire levy capped at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. EMS is funded by a separate levy capped at $0.50 per $1,000. Over time, levy rates fall as property values rise to limit the fire district to the same amount of revenue per year plus a 1% or any other voter-approved increase.

 

For example, voters approved an EMS levy of $0.50 per $1,000 in 2019. Since that time, the levy rate has fallen to $0.36 per $1,000.

 

When necessary, the fire district asks voters for a “lid lift” to restore funding for emergency services. A lid lift returns the levy rate to the amount previously approved by voters.

 

Call volumes and costs to provide service have increased.

 

Call volumes continue to increase, and our community requires additional emergency personnel to respond. Dropping a patient off at the hospital often takes one unit out of service for two or more hours. If multiple calls come in at the same time, it can take longer to reach you in an emergency.

 

Costs to provide service are significantly higher due to inflation. For example, the annual cost of medical supplies has increased from $61,000 to $124,000 since our last EMS levy lid lift. Insurance for our fire district has increased from $68,000 to $130,000 in the same time period. An ambulance that cost just over $200,000 is now $400,000.

 

EMS accounts for more than 80% of all emergency calls.

 

The fire district is considering asking voters to return the EMS levy to $0.50 per $1,000 during the August 5, 2025 Primary Election. The lid lift will fund higher costs for EMS training, medical equipment and supplies. It also would allow us to hire two additional firefighter/paramedics per shift for faster response times and an additional response unit, which is the highest level of pre-hospital care available.

 

The $0.14 lid lift would cost the owner of a $500,000 property an additional $5.83 per month/$70 per year. Property owners who meet income and eligibility requirements may qualify for an exemption.