Voters overwhelmingly supported renewal of the Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue EMS levy on April 28, 77.8 percent in favor and 22.2 percent opposed. A similar measure was approved by residents served by South Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

CKFR asked its residents to renew, for six years, a levy of up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to support emergency medical services. It’s a good investment. Fire districts receive no ongoing funding from federal, state or county governments. The majority of their revenue comes from property taxes.

Your tax support ensures that when there’s a medical emergency, trained professionals will be there in response.

CKFR serves more than 68,000 residents in a 115-square-mile area. In 2014, CKFR responded to 7,030 calls – 5,340 of which were medical-related.

The levy renewal will pay for staffing of paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), required annual medical training and education, and the purchase, maintenance and operation of lifesaving medical supplies and equipment.

There were no arguments filed in opposition to the levy renewal for the voters’ guide. And for good reason. As a statement in favor put it, “The EMS levy is the cornerstone of funding for a system that hires and trains EMS personnel, and purchases medical equipment, supplies, and vehicles necessary to provide both basic and advanced life support services.”

CKFR is doing what it can to maintain levels of service which we have come to expect and which our growing area requires. That level of service — quick response time, equipment that works when it’s needed, and firefighters that are safe and well-equipped — is worth 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

Voters agreed.