Fire District 3 serves more than just fire emergencies

Editor,

When District 3 Fire Chief Scott Peterson asked for levy feedback, I met with him to give mine. I learned that 70% of calls were for medical responses. I figured why do I need the fire department when I have health insurance to pay for AMR ambulance service?

I live in rural Venersborg. Scott explained that any of the five stations can be to my home within minutes with two EMT-trained staff. I see now on the news the great difficulty AMR is having responding to calls and staffing EMTs. I suppose the large number of Baby Boomers with medical emergencies and growing local populations are straining the system.

I learned that District 3 staff work to stabilize a patient while waiting for an ambulance, which may take a quite a while. I was pleased to see that the levy plan calls for an ambulance to transport a critical patient to the hospital when District 3 EMTs cannot wait for an ambulance.

I suppose I also errantly believed "fire department" meant fires only.

I am now deeply appreciative that they are here and certainly will vote yes on the levy.

Michael Eddington,
Battle Ground