Tax hike could help get you an ambulance faster on Highway 395 and in Connell

The district that provides ambulance service to a large section of north Franklin County is considering its first tax increase in its 78-year history.

The proposed increase is intended to improve emergency medical response for 30 miles of Highway 395, the city of Connell and 20 miles of highways 17 and 260, along with the rest of the district’s 715-square-mile service area.

Franklin County Public Hospital District 1, based in Mesa, does not have a hospital, but is the sole provider for ambulance service for the 12,500 people who live in north Franklin County and the people who travel through, including to reach Spokane from the Tri-Cities.

The district provides emergency medical service, ambulance transportation and extrication from vehicle crashes in partnerships with fire districts in its service area from about Sagemoor Road north.

Call volumes have increased 21% in the last two years to 742 calls in 2022, or an average of two calls a day.

Now the district relies solely on professionally trained volunteers to provide emergency medical services

But attracting and retaining volunteers is a challenge for rural communities across the nation, according to the fire district.

“The job requires a significant time commitment for training and service, which competes with school, full-time jobs and family obligations,” the hospital district posted on its website. “There are times when no one is available to respond when multiple calls for service happen at the same time.”

More calls for service also have increased the wear and tear on ambulances.

The district is considering hiring three full-time medical employees and replacing three ambulances.

Those expenses would require a levy lid lift of $22 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

The cost would be $44 per year for a $200,000 home.

The hospital district is considering putting the levy lid lift on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

Residents of the district with questions may email Chief Ken Woffenden at chiefken2.0@hotmail.com or call him at 509-269-4900.