VOTE YES ON 10-209!

SUPPORT TENMILE RURAL

FIRE DISTRICT!

Call or text your questions to 541-236-2676

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What are we supporting?

On November 5, 2024, voters in the Tenmile Rural Fire District will have the opportunity to vote on Measure #10-209, a proposed renewal of the local option tax levy. This levy is crucial for the retention of the district’s full-time Fire Chief/Paramedic, ensuring continued high-quality emergency response and fire protection for the area.

The measure would renew a tax of 0.75 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, continuing for five years, beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This renewal would generate between $87,500 and $95,000 annually, covering the salary and administrative costs of the Fire Chief/Paramedic, while maintaining the District’s current combined tax rate of $2.3189 per $1,000 of assessed value. Over the five years, the levy is expected to raise approximately $460,000 in total.

THIS IS NOT AN INCREASE IN TAXES, SIMPLY RENEWING THE CURRENT LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR THE TENMILE RURAL FIRE DISTRICT

How has my tax money been spent?

The Tenmile Rural Fire District, which serves a 19 square-mile area encompassing Tenmile and Olalla, has seen a significant rise in emergency call volume—up 40% in the last five years. Last year, the District responded to approximately 300 fire and medical calls. The Fire Chief and a dedicated team of 12 volunteers work tirelessly to protect the community, and the renewal of this levy is essential to maintain these critical services.

Since the passage of the initial ballot in 2019, the Fire District has achieved significant improvements:

Responded to over 1,090 emergency calls from 2020 to 2023, including 41 local wildfires with minimal impact (just 14.15 acres burned).

Secured over $3.9 million in grants, funding vital equipment upgrades, staff support, and seismic facility upgrades.

Completed a full overhaul of training programs, now offering in-house certification for 14 areas (up from five), well beyond the state requirements.

Upgraded fire and safety equipment, including new jackets, radios, tanks, and vehicles, to ensure top-notch service.

Enhanced community outreach and transparency, with regular training and events for residents.

Achieved full compliance in safety equipment testing and operation policies and a 100% incident reporting record

Improved response times and call answering by maintaining over a 99% answering rate with an average response time of 12 minutes.

Why Should I Care?

Voting for Measure #10-209 is essential to ensuring the Tenmile Rural Fire District can continue providing fast, reliable emergency services to the community. With wildfire risks increasing and emergency calls up 40% in the past five years, renewing this local option tax will retain the full-time Fire Chief/Paramedic needed to lead response efforts. This measure keeps the current tax rate steady while funding critical services, including fire suppression, medical aid, and community safety. A vote for this measure helps protect lives, property, and the future of our community.


Fire Prevention

The paid staff spends much of their time searching for grants to secure more and better equipment to combat fire. This equipment plays a vital role in stopping wildfires fast.

Medical Response

Often the first person on scene in our rural community is the fire department. Having a paid EMT on staff is invaluable, as well as new medical and first aid training is available to all volunteers.

Volunteer Safety

Having a full time fire chief allows for better compliance and safety monitoring of vital equipment that keeps the volunteers safe. Proper funding ensures that our volunteers are protected.

Better Response

Faster responses, fewer missed calls. These are direct results from the tax funds that provide the fire department with the funded fire chief position, but there are still improvements to be made.

STAY INFORMED

Text or call your questions to 541-236-2676

Email Us: yesfortenmile@gmail.com

paid for by vote yes tenmile fire.

A registered PAC with the state of Oregon.