SNOHOMISH COUNTY — Voters in north Snohomish County have overwhelmingly approved an emergency medical service levy.

Preliminary results show that nearly 73 percent of voters in the Warm Beach, Freeborn, Bryant and northern Arlington areas are in favor of funding North County Regional Fire Authority/EMS’s expiring levy.

The levy, which will pay for firefighter/paramedic wages, training, supplies, apparatuses and support vehicles, will charge taxpayers 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to maintain the authority’s current level of service.

That equates to about $12.50 per month for the owner of a $300,000 home.

Of the 2,998 votes counted, 2,183 were in favor of the levy, while 815 were against it in the Aug. 17 primary election.

“It makes everybody feel very good,” said North County Chief Dale Fulfs. “All the hard work that our crew members did — they really helped explain the needs we have and how important they are.”

The authority’s current levy was slated to expire at the end of 2010.

North County’s levy was one of five fire department or districts on the Aug. 17 ballot to pass levies. Levies require a 50 percent plus one vote to pass.

“I want to thank all of our crew members,” Fulfs said. “They were out there door-belling. I want to thank them, but most of all I want to thank the community for supporting us.”