As the Medical Services Administrator for the city of Arlington Fire Department, I would like to remind our community that an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy, Proposition 1, is on the General Election Ballot. This is not a new tax; it is a replacement for the expiring levy.

Being a FF/Paramedic in Arlington for over 25 years, I have seen firsthand the lives that our EMS program has saved. EMS is the most widely used emergency service; over 70 percent of our 911 responses are for emergency medical calls. Arlington Fire currently responds to about ten 911 calls each day, this includes service to the Darrington, Arlington Rural and Oso communities.

The EMS Levy, along with ambulance transport fees, will fund the continuation of Basic Life Support (EMT) and Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) personnel. In addition the levy funds all of the EMS emergency equipment, training, supplies, medication and ambulances needed to operate the service.

The levy will provide 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Our citizens have supported similar EMS levies since 1977.

EMS saves lives throughout our community each year. To learn more about Proposition 1, please visit the city of Arlington website’s EMS Levy FAQ at www.arlingtonwa.gov.

Thank you,

Doug Schmidt

Medical Services Administrator

Arlington Fire Department