Mukilteo wants $865,000 more in tax money annually and the city council says it will only be used for paramedic service. Recent press says our current service is terrific using contract paramedics from Everett costing more than $400,000. Paramedic response times average less than 5 minutes, they say. How much better can paramedic service get?
Mayor Don Doran recently said, “public safety is the No.1 priority…and that’s where the last dollar would go, even if the city had to get rid of everything else.” Current emergency services will continue if the levy fails. The citizen committee that recommended the levy also recommended staffing both fire stations with career firefighters 24 hours every day, as soon as possible, replacing some volunteers.
Mukilteo’s brochure says “On average, the Mukilteo Fire Department arrives on scene within 5 minutes after a call (any call) is made to 9-1-1.” The 5 minutes does not include 9-1-1 calls and dispatch time. Mobilization time varies a lot when volunteers have to go to the fire station for equipment.
Average calculations smooth response times. American Heart Association studies show that for every response minute over four, an additional 10 percent of heart attack victims lose their lives. A one-minute response and a 9-minute response average 5 minutes. A 9-minute response to a critical heart attack increases probability of death by 50 percent. Long, life-threatening medical and fire responses need improvement.
If passed, the levy will pay Everett for its paramedic service, replacing $400,000+ now spent by Mukilteo’s general fund, the same result as a general fund tax increase. The council should guarantee that increase will be used for more career firefighters to help achieve service levels neighboring cities provide. We deserve no less. Then I will enthusiastically approve EMS taxes.
Mukilteo
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
