As a Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) EMT volunteer, I ran for the position of fire commissioner in 2016 due to my concern over VIFR’s looming financial crisis.

Increasing calls (from 600 to almost 1,600 since the last levy), increasing costs of everything from bandages to fire truck tires and a levy rate that has decreased from the state-allowed $1.50 to 94 cents have put us all at risk of diminished protection.

At present, VIFR is the lowest-funded fire district in King County. Many districts assess taxes above the $1.50 allowance. VIFR is asking only to restore income levels to those seen 27 years ago. The possible increase of up to 6 percent over the next five years is capped, and, only if used, would serve as a “safety net” to keep the $1.50 from decreasing again.

Alice Larson, Scott Harvey and Hilary Emmer argue that “VIFR is asking too much,” yet none of them has the first-hand knowledge of VIFR’s needs that come from being in the trenches. Studying VIFR from afar is not the same as being a department responder. VIFR’s chiefs, EMTs, firefighters and officers — both career and volunteer — are familiar with VIFR’s needs and are painfully aware that several times each month we come frighteningly close to being unable to respond to a call. Our vehicles are falling apart. Our reserves are dwindling. Any less revenue than the state-allowed $1.50 is not enough to pull us out of crisis.

As a board, we’ve carefully analyzed multiple options. The above-mentioned individuals were not present at any/all of Chief Krimmert’s highly informative, comprehensive presentations.

None of us want to pay more taxes. We islanders have enjoyed the lowest fire tax rates in Washington for decades. Now we must play catch up.

Please vote and vote “yes” on Proposition 1.

Our lives depend on it.

— Brigitte Schran Brown