We are justly proud of our island’s self-reliance and heritage of volunteerism, but our isolation and expectation that we can forever depend on volunteers puts us at great risk in emergencies. As a retired senior Seattle Fire chief and island resident, I know that emergency help from the mainland is at least an hour away, and available volunteer responders are dwindling nationally and on Vashon.

Living on a tax rate set 27 years ago has become impossible. VIFR costs have outstripped revenues and we have been living off building maintenance and equipment replacement funds for most of the last few years. These funds will soon be exhausted.

In those 27 years, emergency calls have risen 260 percent while the on-island volunteers have dropped from 60 to nine. Why the drop? In part because state minimum training requirements to fight fires and provide emergency medical help includes 360 hours of volunteer training, time few people can spare. Now there are barely enough career and volunteer responders available to meet the several simultaneous emergency medical calls that happen weekly.

Without a vote to restore the 1990 levy, we will have even fewer responders for the increasing number of emergencies. The result? Some people will have to face their emergencies alone as help will be delayed. Voting “yes” adds responders, improves island safety and puts us on a path for solvency.

For your own safety and the safety of your neighbors, please vote “yes.”

— Gary English