FIRE DISTRICT

Paying for new staff

I commend Chief Matt Vinci and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) for the grants they have secured to supplement the district’s substantial levy.

Unfortunately, VIFR has learned nothing from the Vashon Island School District (VISD) budget debacle. As was recently the case with VISD, the VIFR 2023 budget included substantial unfunded labor costs. While VISD may have mistakenly hoped the Legislature would bail it out, VIFR has a different plan to pay its excessive spending after the fact: levy lift.

VIFR is doing everything to make its case: face-to-face meetings at Minglement, surveys, multiple community meetings, and, of course, its strategic plan, presented by the outside consultant. As a community with fantastic performing arts, it should be appreciated as pure theatre at its best. The fatal flaw in the strategic plan is the lack of funding. Sound familiar?

Chief Vinci is the perfect maestro to “lead” the community toward the VIFR agenda. He is articulate, professional, well-educated, courteous and generally more likable than his predecessor. Just because you like him, doesn’t mean you should buy what he is selling. The situation is not as dangerous as he is portraying. Don’t believe this fear-mongering.

Some would argue we need more EMT services because our island is aging. As a member of the over-60 demographic (I’m 72), I am betting my life that the current staff will respond in a timely manner if I have a heart attack or am hit by a car, while running Vashon Highway. Recent numbers, provided by VIFR, really do not indicate an increased volume of calls to the station, and in fact, in 2022, the call volume was significantly lower than in 2018. Does this indicate a need to increase staff by 50-plus percent?

I totally agree the VIFR needed to hire permanent staff to address excessive overtime and possible staff burnout. The question is how many and when?

Vote no on the levy lift.

Scott Harvey