Renew EMS levy to preserve service

To the editor:

I would like to thank the Skagit Board of County Commissioners for placing an EMS levy renewal on the April 23, 2024, special election ballot to continue critical funding for emergency medical services in our community.

Every second counts in an emergency, and the EMS levy renewal will ensure we have enough personnel, supplies, equipment, and ambulances to respond to calls, which have increased by 25% in the last four years.

In 2023, Skagit County EMS provider agencies, like mine in the upper east county, responded to over 18,000 calls and provided more than 9,200 ambulance transports to area hospitals. More calls mean higher costs for everything from medical supplies to emergency personnel to ambulance replacements.

The EMS levy must be renewed by voters every six years and the April ballot measure asks voters to renew the EMS levy rate at $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This equates to a $0.17 levy rate increase that will ensure our countywide EMS system can continue to provide 24/7 EMS response and manage higher call volumes and costs to provide service.

If renewed, it will fund paramedics and EMTs, medical education and training, fuel, equipment, ambulance maintenance and replacement, and medical supplies.

I am proud to serve you and your family and grateful for your support of 24/7 EMS response.

Joe Frank

Paramedic with Aero Skagit