I’m concerned that our fire department is underfunded, so I plan to vote “yes” on Proposition 1. If you aren’t planning on voting or plan to vote “no,” I urge you to watch this KOMO news story about an Ocean Shores woman who died when her home caught fire (komonews.com/news/local/ocean-shores-woman-dies-in-fire-only-1-firefighter-available-to-respond). Only one firefighter was available to respond because the other four were busy at another emergency. This could easily happen on Vashon if this proposition does not pass.

We are a small island, but we are spread out and sometimes hard to get to. We need all the support, maintenance and equipment this funding will provide. Our equipment is old, breaking down and in need of deferred maintenance.

I encourage us all to vote in support of the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue levy. The fire department is a big part of our emergency response system. If you need emergency medical treatment, an aid car or a fire engine, this is all we have. Without it, help from the mainland could take two hours — an unacceptable and dangerous consequence.

Please vote “yes.”

— Pennie Pickering