Many times, fire engines will accompany an ambulance on medical calls, and Nichol said that is purely because the ambulance carries only two medics, and sometimes more are needed to lift someone down flights of stairs. Because the fire fund also supports EMS, he said it’s a cross-over that does not take any additional money from the medical services fund.

“It seems like the only thing you’re looking at is a voter recognition problem,” said Suquamish resident John Willett.

“Most people don’t care what the name that’s on the side of the aid unit is,” Nichol said in response. “I’m not sure people know the difference sometimes, and that’s a concern we’re working to address.”