Voters Approve Levy to Continue Fast and Effective
Emergency Response
On November 4, 2008, voters approved Ballot Measure 34-154,
renewing TVF&R's Local Option Levy until 2014. We
are extremely appreciative of the voters’ continued
support for fire and emergency medical services,
particularly given the economic uncertainty that so
many people are experiencing.
On behalf of the men and women of
TVF&R - thank you for your support! We will
continue to work very hard to make your investment
worthwhile.
Background of Local Option
Levy
The local
option levy has enabled TVF&R to add
emergency response personnel and update technology
to improve
response to fires and medical
emergencies. Those improvements began
with passage of a
local option levy in 2000 and
renewal of that levy in 2004. In November 2008, approximately 61% of voters
supported continuing the levy.
Same Service. Same Tax
Rate - No Increase. The current
local option levy and its tax rate of .25 cents per
$1,000/AV is identical to the local option levy tax
first approved by voters in 2000. The levy:
- Retains firefighter
and paramedic positions funded by the 2000 and
2004 levies. Staffing was increased
from three to four firefighters on nine engine
companies, making faster
fire attack possible.
Two
rescue units were also added, allowing teams
of paramedics to provide additional
emergency
medical response coverage. These positions help
ensure sufficient personnel arrive within the
initial minutes of an emergency.
- Funds firefighting
and emergency medical tools, safety and
communications equipment,
mapping technology, and
training resources. These tools are
intended to speed response times, improve
patient outcomes, and enhance firefighter
safety.
- Retains support
positions in training, technology, incident
analysis, and accounting functions.
This
five-year levy will be collected for the first time
in the fall of 2010 after the current levy has
expired, and continue until 2014.
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Local Option Levy 2000 and
2004 - Your Investment |
The original levy request in 2000 allowed TVF&R
to invest in staffing, technology, and
equipment to enhance our efficiency and
comply with new federal safety mandates.
(51.7% voter approval)The levy approved in 2004
was a continuation of the original levy and
has assisted TVF&R in responding to the increasing demands for service.
(71% voter approval) |
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Specific expenditures have included:
- Hiring and retaining 33 current firefighters and paramedics.
This allowed nine engine companies to increase
from three to four-person crews, making faster
fire attack possible. Two rescue units were also
added, allowing teams of paramedics to provide
additional emergency medical coverage. Hiring
and retaining six support staff positions in
training, technology, incident analysis, and
accounting functions.
- Firefighting safety equipment, including
breathing devices and thermal imagers were
replaced.
- Rescue tools for accident scenes were
purchased
-
Wildfire suppression and rescue vehicles were
added to our response fleet
- Implementation and continued development of the
Mobile Data Terminals
which access detailed
site maps, building layouts, and information on
hazardous chemicals, were purchased and are
being deployed to fire engines and command
vehicles.
- Advanced heart defibrillators
were purchased.
- A new training tower was constructed.
- Support of District operations, including hiring and training of personnel,
equipment, and other tangible items supporting emergency response operations.
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