WARM BEACH — North County Regional Fire Authority officials hope that many of the 15,000 people served by the fire district show up for its 2010 budget meetings.
Not many residents usually attend the annual meetings, said Chief Dale Fulfs, but it’s the best way for people to find out what’s going on in the district, which covers more than 104 square miles and includes the communities of Warm Beach, Freeborn and Bryant.
Fulfs plans to talk about ways in which North County Fire plans to save money in the coming year.
“We know our taxpayers are struggling in this difficult economy,” Fulfs said. “We want them to know that we’re trying to live within our means, just like them.”
In 2007, voters in north Snohomish County approved the merger of two fire districts to create North County Fire and Emergency Medical Services, which currently is funded by a fire levy and two different levies for emergency medical services.
Fulfs said the plan is to save money on election costs by uniting ratepayers from the two original fire districts in one emergency medical services levy in August.
Three of North County’s five fire stations have round-the-clock staffing, but to save money the district pairs career and volunteer firefighters on each shift, he said.
North County Fire also has applied for and received various grants for lighting, generators and other equipment to keep costs down, Fulfs said.
Those who cannot attend budget meetings Nov. 11 and 25 can get a copy of the North County Fire/EMS funding and expenses list by calling 360-652-1246 or going to www.northcountyfireems.com.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Two meetings
North County Fire/EMS budget meetings are scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Kackman Road Fire Station 3002 252nd St. NE, Arlington; 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25, Warm Beach Fire Station, 19727 Marine Drive, Stanwood.
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