The second time's the charm for Benton Fire District 4.

Voters approved an EMS levy Tuesday that will allow the fire district to start its own ambulance service.

That means West Richland residents will see faster response times and lower costs if they need to call an ambulance.

"It's fantastic," said Fire Chief Mike Spring just minutes after the results were announced. "We're all standing around patting each other on the back and saying, 'Hallelujah!' "

The six-year levy, which will collect about $500,000 a year, was approved by 64 percent of voters. It received 2,197 yes votes to 1,212 no votes.

A 60 percent supermajority was needed. The results are unofficial until certified May 12.

"I thought it might be closer, based on the last election, but it's so hard to predict," Spring said. "I'm very happy for that large of support."

Fire officials say residents have been asking for years why the district has to rely on ambulance services from the Richland Fire Department and Benton Fire District 2 in Benton City.

They decided to seek an EMS levy to pay for the service.

In 2008, the fire district ran the same EMS levy, along with a $3 million bond issue. Both were supported by voters -- the levy received 54 percent yes votes -- but both failed to get the necessary 60 percent approval.

Spring said he thinks the difference this time was narrowing the focus to just the levy and being a little more conservative with the phased-in ambulance program.

"It took a while to get the education out there," Spring said. "The community supports the fire district and we support them and I think that shows. (With the current) weird economic times, to pass the levy goes to the mutual support."

The chief credited groups like the career and volunteer firefighters and senior citizens, many of whom went around knocking on doors of the approximately 43,000 residents in all 13 precincts.

Marvin and Judy Calkins were among the seniors supporting the levy, and Marvin said he put in up to 12-hour days knocking on doors.

"I didn't know the fire district was so huge, but it was really enjoyable going to talk to people," he said.

The Calkinses joined Chief Spring and about 20 other people Tuesday night at the fire station on Bombing Range Road to wait for the results and celebrate once they were in.

"We have to get to work now," Spring said.

More details about how the new fire service will operate will be finalized over the next few months, but fire district officials say they want to get the phased-in service started at the first of the year.

They're also planning a thank you party Friday for everyone who helped with the levy election.

As of Tuesday, 3,410 of the 8,797 ballots issued had been received by mail or in-person at the auditor's office. That amounts to a 38.76 percent turnout.

Officials have 25 ballots left to count, not including ballots that were postmarked Tuesday but have not yet been received at the auditor's office. The next count will be at 4:30 p.m. today.

Auditor Brenda Chilton anticipated a total turnout of about 42 percent.

w Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@ tricityherald.com