Kitsap County Fire District 7 is asking South Kitsap residents served by South Kitsap Fire and Rescue to approve a bond measure to issue $4.9 million in general obligation funds through Proposition 1, which would be collected from excess property taxes annually over five years.

The proposition would authorize the fire district to upgrade its apparatus, and fire and safety equipment.

A challenging time

SKFR is struggling to maintain its current level of firefighting and emergency-response services for more than 72,000 residents in South Kitsap, Fire Chief Steven Wright said.

In fact, the challenges SKFR faces to adequately cover 117 square miles of the district often keeps him awake some nights.

“Essential services are at risk,” Wright said.

“This last year, SKFR made some difficult decisions that included reducing  its career staff by 12 firefighters and EMTs, modifying staff deployments and closing three stations.”

Wright’s primary concern has been the district’s aging equipment and apparatus, which are either at the end of their operational life — or well beyond it.

It’s been seven years since the last piece of new equipment was purchased, Wright said. Of the current fleet of 13 fire engines, Wright said six are more than 25 years old. Two are more than 15 years old and four are more than 10 years old.

The fleet of water tenders is even older. Six of the seven water tenders are more than 25 years old. And the oldest, 38 years old, pre-dates many of the firefighters on the SKFR staff.

“We’ve had tow bills for some of our equipment that won’t start,” he said. “That’s not to diminish the fabulous work of our mechanics.”

But dealing with equipment well beyond their service life is a no-win situation, he said. “It’s not going to get better over time.”

Comparisons with Kitsap’s other fire districts emphasize South Kitsap’s aging fleet. “By far, we’re behind our neighboring districts. Bremerton has a bond that would replace their 11-year-old apparatus. I’d kill to have that in our stock.”

Wright said the bond measure, if passed, will upgrade six fire engines, five water tenders, three paramedic units and associated firefighting and EMS equipment.

Roger Gay, who lives near Lake Helena in Glenwood, said rural residents like him are dependent on SKFR for emergency services.

“I’m out in the boonies,” Gay said, acknowledging that water tenders are critical in areas without hydrants. “While I’m not a big tax person, I see where there’s a legitimate need, especially out here.”

Bond measure costs

The bond measure will cost the owner of a $275,000 home in the district approximately $3.43 a month, or $41.25 each year for five years.

Wright said he was mindful of property taxpayers’ budgets when he recommended the proposition.

“I believe it’s a very reasonable cost for maintaining a fleet that is in line with national firefighting standards.

“You can spend more for lunch for two than the amount you’d pay in a year.”

SKFR receives most of its funding from two separate tax levies that come from local property taxes. It doesn’t receive any ongoing county, state or federal funding, according to a fire-district overview statement.

Last year, KCFR reported its emergency personnel responded to 9,068 emergency 911 calls, averaging 25 each day. Three out of every four 911 calls are for medical emergencies.