LETTER: Vote ‘yes’ on Prop 1 to ensure safety, keep response times

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, October 10, 2017

As the wife of a volunteer firefighter for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (“VIFR”), I cringe every time I hear the tones go out for a fire or an accident. I know that those tones mean that my husband will rush out of the house and spend the next several hours doing something he loves – helping his community. But, I also know just how dangerous this can be. He puts himself in danger each time and he is happy to do it. Of course, career and volunteer firefighters are well-trained and VIFR takes safety very seriously, but it’s a dangerous job.

If Proposition 1 fails in November VIFR will have to layoff staff, forego purchasing new equipment and delay needed maintenance. VIFR will also need to rely even more heavily on volunteers. This likely will mean longer response times for many types of emergencies. It will also likely make responding even more dangerous for both the career and the volunteer firefighters and EMTs. This really scares me as a resident of Vashon and the wife of a volunteer firefighter.

Please join me in voting to approve Proposition 1.

— Susan Puz