South King Fire and Rescue, formed when the Federal Way Fire Department and King County Fire District 26 (Des Moines) merged on Jan. 1, covers 40 square miles of area, protects approximately 150,000 citizens, and responds to nearly 16,000 emergencies each year.

We handle all types of fires, all emergency medical incidents, hazardous materials incidents, specialized rescue incidents and marine emergencies in Puget Sound. We provide fire prevention services for both cities and offer safety education to children and young adults in Federal Way and Highline schools.

We are proud of the fact that we have achieved the distinction of being the first, and only, fire district in the State of Washington to have achieved an insurance classification of a Class 2 rating (a level maintained by only the Seattle and Bellevue Fire Departments in addition to your fire department).

This Class 2 rating has resulted in lower insurance premiums for the business community.

Now, for the sixth year in a row, we are placing our annual Levy Lid Lift on the Sept. 19 ballot to allow our citizens the opportunity to determine the level of services provided by their fire department. Proposition 1 would allow South King Fire and Rescue to maintain the current levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Maintaining the levy rate would maintain current fire and emergency medical services and would pay for inflationary costs of providing service.

This is necessary because in 2001, Washington voters passed Initiative 747 that limits the taxes the fire district can collect to no more than 1 percent above the amount collected in the previous year, without a public vote lifting that limit.

As a stand alone fire district, we are funded primarily by property taxes, which have been limited to a 1 percent increase.

The South King Fire and Rescue commission has determined that the 1 percent limit will not allow us to keep pace with inflationary increases in operating costs (such as fuel costs, personnel costs, etc.) for next year.

Since 2001, our citizens have approved Proposition 1 each year to maintain their level of fire department services.

All I can and will do is ask you to cast your vote, utilize your right as an American citizen, and let us know the level of service you want your fire department to provide.

We are honored to serve you.

Allen D. Church

Fire Chief/Administrator

South King Fire and Rescue

Allen D. Church,