Call volumes out of control in Burbank area fire district. Lift the levy lid | Opinion

Walla Walla 5 levy important

As the board chair of Walla Walla County Fire District 5, the Fire District wants to thank community members for participating in meetings about the needs of emergency services for our area.

Call volumes have increased 100% in the last 10 years, and we need your help. It’s not easy to ask for help at the point you are supposed to provide it, but that’s where we are. Our fire district is asking for a fire levy lid lift to meet the additional needs of the continued increase in call volume.

These funds would be used to hire four additional firefighters, and station renovations to house this increase in manpower.

Station renovations will increase sleeping quarters and space for additional apparatus as needed, allowing firefighters to continue 24-hour coverage at a faster response rate.

Most importantly, we need to upgrade diesel exhaust removal systems and decontamination areas at our stations to meet WA State L & I standards for firefighters returning from calls.

This is important to improve firefighter health and safety. Please learn more about the lid lift on our website at wcfd5.org.

Alan Mehlenbacher, Burbank

Go to forums to be an informed voter

Fifty years ago, the Pasco School District suffered a double levy loss. The ensuing recall of the entire school board made state history. It took three decades to reinstate the orchestra.

Kennewick’s double levy loss and Richland’s recall have them learning these hard lessons for themselves. One takeaway is to be a well-informed voter so you elect candidates you will not have to recall because their political agendas make them unfit to serve.

The League of Women Voters of Benton and Franklin Counties is a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to encourage voter registration and provide voter education.

They host candidate forums ahead of the Nov. 7 election that will be broadcast starting in mid-October through YouTube, the League, Northwest Public Broadcasting, the Cities of Richland and Pasco and the Columbia Basin Badger Club to help you choose those you think will best serve.

I have a long history of supporting Pasco schools. I am voting for Vincent Guerrero in District 1 (west Pasco) and Rosa Torres (at large) for re-election to the Pasco School Board. They each have impressive resumes and passion to serve our students and their families while being mindful of their responsibilities to the taxpayers.

Valerie Moffitt, Pasco

Yakima Fire 5 needs your support

I’ve been a volunteer firefighter with Yakima County Fire District 5 for 23 years. Yakima 5 is not part of the city of Yakima. We are a separate taxing district serving 800 square miles in the unincorporated areas from White Swan to Grandview in the Lower Yakima Valley. It’s a tradition in my family to volunteer to help my neighbors.

Call volumes have increased 22%, and we’re struggling to keep up. We require more firefighters to improve response times. Updated facilities and apparatus will help us attract and retain volunteers to continue this important tradition.

I want to thank our board of fire commissioners for talking about placing a bond on the November election ballot for capital projects. Station improvements are necessary to recruit/retain volunteers.

Fire engines and wildland fire brush trucks are necessary to answer the call to duty. Volunteer firefighters want to serve you.

Please give us adequate facilities and apparatus to improve our response.

Chris Wertenberger, Wapato

Election letters deadline

Ballots for the Nov. 7 general election are due to be mailed by Oct. 19.

Election letters in support of issues or candidates must be submitted by Thursday, Oct. 26, to be considered for publication.

Send letters to letters@tricityherald.com.