Are you wondering why the “Vote Yes for Fire” signs have suddenly shown up and it isn’t on the ballot until Nov. 5th? I would be wondering too, if my awareness of the District 3 Fire situation had not recently been brought to my attention.

I have been a very unaware SJI citizen as to how Fire is funded. I have always assumed that our fire department would always be here for us, I never realized funding could be an issue. I have not paid attention to the fact we haven’t had new engines in a long time, that our firehouses are inadequate, some not even big enough to house an engine. I wasn’t aware that staff had to be cut. I wasn’t aware that there is a statewide rating system that affects my insurance. I surely wasn’t aware that the ratings on our island were bad and without improvement could jeopardize my fire insurance.

So, I recently was educated about all of this and was shocked at my obliviousness to what it takes to have our fire district. It was brought to my attention the serious situation our fire district is in, why it is in such a state, and without a financial boost how we are really in jeopardy. I also learned that our fire district has only had a levy lift once since it was established, and that was in 1963.

After learning all of this I felt like I should help bring awareness to others that might be as uneducated about our fire district as I was. Those like me who just take it for granted! That is why I am writing this letter and involved in getting the word out. I want people to understand why it is so important that in November this levy passes. Please take a look at sjifire.org/about/levy, to learn for yourself. There is a lot of information there that will help you understand what is going on and the need for a levy adjustment.

Joy Lord,

San Juan Island