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2025 strategic plan community

1.Do you reside within North Whidbey Fire and Rescue's response area? Deception Pass south to Libbey Road including Pondilla Estates not including the City of Oak Harbor.
2.Are you aware that NWFR protects approximately 55 square miles of North Whidbey Island? This area extends from Libbey Rd and terminates at Deception Pass and is not inclusive of the City of Oak Harbor or NAS Whidbey Island?
3.Within the last three years have you or a family member utilized North Whidbey Fire and Rescue's services?
4.If you answered yes to question number 3, what service was the request for?
5.Did NWFR respond in a timely manner for your request for help?
6.When NWFR's personnel arrived on scene were they courteous, understood your needs, and provided the appropriate assistance?
7.Are you aware that NWFR has a marine search and rescue program? This includes two boats and personnel dedicated solely to that program. NWFR's response area includes west beach from Partridge Point to the bridge, Cornet Bay including Dugualla Flats, and parts of Penn Cove.
8.Are you aware there are seven fire stations located though out our service area? Six of the seven fire stations are volunteer stations and one station is staffed with a crew of one or two members approximately 80% of the time.
9.Of those seven fire stations, six do not meet current seismic bracing or ADA requirements. Two of those stations are more than 50 years old and do not have bathroom facilities, two stations are 35 or more years old, and one is 9 years old. Should NWFR consider upgrading and/or consolidating or replace some of those structures?
10.Did you know that nearly 85% of NWFR personnel are volunteers firefighters? This number includes specialized positions such as marine search and rescue, emergency medical technicians, support (non-firefighting) personnel and the high school cadet program. These volunteers are neighbors helping neighbors in their time of need. Some are compensated between $9.90 - $12.00 per call.
11.NWFR, like many other volunteer organizations, is experiencing a decline in recruitment and retention of qualified applicants. NWFR has, since 1950, relied heavily upon volunteers to provide this vital service to the community. Should NWFR continue to rely primarily upon volunteers?
12.Volunteer firefighters have been the backbone of NWFR, typical of other rural fire departments. We expect to retain volunteers as long as possible. Neighbors helping neighbors. However there are some inherent concerns such as an available work force (most are employed elsewhere), extended response times to an emergency incident, and maintaining a highly trained staff. Should NWFR begin the slow process of increasing our career (paid) firefighter/EMT staff? Currently NWFR employs 5 career firefighters.
13.How concerned are you about a natural disaster such as a severe wind storm, heavy snow or earthquake and the fire department's ability to assist you during the disaster?
14.In reference to question #13 do believe that NWFR would be able to respond in a timely manner to your request for help?
15.Are you prepared for a natural disaster? Could you be be self-sustaining for at least 72 hours with no additional help required?
16.As a tax payer within NWFR's service area to you believe you have a __________ understanding of our service to the community?
17.Communications, or a lack thereof, is a concern for all agencies. How well does NWFR communicate with the public?
18.Do you think NWFR should provide more public education events annually? Events such as water safety, home fire safety, and fire extinguisher use.
19.During 2020, the voters approved a levy lid lift which increased NWFR's levy rate to $.77 per $1,000.00 of assessed value. Since that time NWFR's levy rate has declined to $.55 per $1,000.00 of assessed value. 2025 property taxes will provide $2,277,756.92 for the districts operating budget. Would you support a levy lid lift of no more than $.30 per $1,000.00 for a total of $.85 per $1,000.00 of assessed value? The current rate of $.55 per $1,000.00 on a $500,000.00 home would be assessed approximately $275.00. Increasing our rate to $.85 per $1,000.0 would increase that same $500,000.00 home to approximately $425.00 an increase of $150.00 per year.
20.NWFR is considering constructing a new multi-purpose fire station/headquarters, including a training facility located at one site. This is projected to be completed within the next 3-5 years. The potential land purchase is currently in process. NWFR is also considering the consolidation of two fire stations into one facility. Would you support a general obligation bond, approximately fifteen million dollars, for the design and construction of these facilities? This bond would be collected over twenty years. Current projected cost is approximately $.22 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation. This equates to $110.00 for a $500,000.00 home.
21.Additional Comments you care to provide