Proudly serving the needs of our community through trust, honor and respect.

East Jefferson Fire Rescue has been serving its community for 137 years  providing fire suppression, fire prevention and education, and emergency medical services on a 24/7 basis.  We are a combination career and volunteer organization.

Dear Citizens:

As Fire Chief of East Jefferson Fire Rescue one would expect me to speak in favor of the August 17^th ballot measure establishing a $1.00 per thousand assessed valuation fire levy for city residence. This levy represents the same dollar amount recently voted upon and passed by residents that live outside of the city limits. It is consistent with the long range plan to formally consolidate Port Townsend City fire services with EJFR, and represents the established fire levy going forward.

This levy represents what it currently costs to operate your fire department. Cities or municipalities are notorious for not specifically assigning a dollar amount per assessed valuation for fire services. Cities bury the costs of fire and EMS operations within the overall city budget. As a result, all entities within any city compete for available dollars. This levy simply says the community is willing to assign dedicated funds to the operation of your fire department.

When and if the citizens vote to approve whatever form (annexation or regional  fire authority) of permanent consolidation for fire and EMS services in the spring, the $1.00 levy funds plus the EMS fund will transfer completely out of city coffers and fall under the governing board of fire commissioners, and the city’s current ability to tax its citizens up to the statutory maximum of $3.60 per $1000 assessed valuation will become $2.10 per $1000 assessed valuation once consolidation is completed.  For more information please see our web site www.ejfr.org.

Gordon Pomeroy

Chief, East Jefferson Fire Rescue