The voters of Des Moines and Federal Way will be making a decision in August regarding the quality of emergency medical basic life support and fire department services you wish to have provided by South King Fire and Rescue.

The fire district is funded by property taxes. Property tax values have been declining for the last few years. When property taxes are lower, so is the income of the fire district.

The fire district has been compensating for the lower income by cutting wherever possible, including laying off employees that are not directly involved in providing mission critical functions, and using reserve funds to balance the budget. The option of using reserve funds is no longer an option.

The fire district is asking taxpayers if we want to continue to have quality basic emergency medical and fire department services, or do we want a sub-standard service?

I encourage the other taxpayers of South King Fire and Rescue to join me in voting “yes” for quality emergency services in Des Moines and Federal Way.

David L. Crossen, Fire Chief (Retired), Federal Way Fire Department