I have called 911 once and taken a ride to Harborview twice in the past five years. I am 70 years old. One-quarter of this island is over 65, so I am part of a large minority.

The last time I took the ambulance ride was when I had been hit by a car just before Christmas last year while crossing in the pedestrian crosswalk between the senior center and Peter Lake’s office. Geoff Fletcher ran to the fire station and got Jason, and someone else up to the road, and they bundled me off after checking me thoroughly on-site. I did not have a concussion, although I landed on my head after I was thrown into the air.

The care and expertise I have experienced the times I have had to get assistance from the EMTs and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue has been beyond excellent, their compassion — remarkable. I am eternally grateful that we have professional fire and emergency service on Vashon-Maury Island. We are so lucky. I thank all of you from the bottom of my still-beating heart.

Fellow Vashonites, please ensure that this consistent, excellent, professional care is not lessened or altered in any way. Please vote “yes” for this issue in the election.

— Beth de Groen