Measure H – A Bounty of Firefighting Benefits
Sonoma County Measure H, approved by 61.8 percent of voters on March 5, has already brought a bounty of benefits to the Sonoma Valley Fire District.
Fire Chief Steve Akre, who is President of the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association, helped write the tax measure. He was delighted at the level of support for the new tax, describing it as a “mandate” from the people. Firefighters walked door-to-door in the Valley ahead of the election, talking with residents to garner support for the measure, which will bring approximately $60,000,000 countywide, with something over eight percent allocated for distribution to Sonoma Valley.
New Firefighters/Paramedics pictured (L-R): Trevor Pappas, Sofía Íñiguez, Hunter Dannenbring, Steve Suter, Molly Anderson, Mike Hammer. Sofía is from Sonoma, Trevor from Kenwood, Molly, Steve and Hunter are all from Sonoma County, and Mike from the Bay area.
With the passage of the half-cent sales tax, which went into effect the first of October, the Fire District Board decided to use their reserves ahead of receiving the Measure H funds in order to get first pick from the new crop of firefighter/paramedics. Akre pointed out that the SV Fire District has reserves that were available to use “because of our good stewardship of taxpayer money.”
Since Akre became Fire Chief in 2017, the SV Fire District has grown from just the City of Sonoma and Valley of the Moon to now include Glen Ellen, Mayacamas, and Kenwood Fire Districts.
Akre explained why the tax measure does not have a sunset provision, meaning voters would need to terminate it. “The need for staffing isn’t ever going away,” he said, as fire districts all over the County are meeting a new staffing need as they transition from a largely volunteer system to career staffing. He continued, “We need to be able to promise 25-30 years as we hire firefighters and paramedics.”
Some of the Valley staffing achievements of Measure H include permanent funding for three Firefighter/Paramedics (FF/PMs) on the City Engine, one for each shift. The positions were previously funded by a Federal grant. The Chief pointed out that all the SVFD personnel are cross-trained for both firefighting and paramedic roles. “This is a core piece of who we are and how we operate. By hiring only cross-trained personnel, we provide the absolutely best service we can to our community.” He continued, “At its core it’s a special Fire District staff – their hearts are in it completely, and that translates.”
Firefighters/Paramedics Shane Tinker and Ismael González pictured with Medic 302 in front of El Verano Station 2
Another Measure H achievement is new and permanent funding of Medic 302, a newly-staffed third paramedic ambulance housed at Station 2 in El Verano, which serves all of the area, including Temelec. The other ambulances are at Station 1 on First Street West, and Station 3 on Agua Caliente Road at Highway 12. The District also hired nine full-time FF/PMs, six for Medic 302 and three for Kenwood. Other hires include a second full-time fire mechanic, which requires a person with specialized training to work on fire engines, including motors and pumps; and a full-time vegetation management coordinator who works throughout the Valley.
Measure H funds go well beyond personnel. Akre says the new funds have enabled the District to buy two new fire engines, which will take a long time for delivery. As Akre explained, “It’s crazy, it will be two and a half years to get them built and delivered,” due to a shortage of truck chassis. But when they finally arrive, they will have state of the art features and technology.
Another Measure H benefit is the purchase of almost eight acres on Arnold Drive for a new fire station. The Fire District is in escrow for the property, which will house a new station and provide the ability for expansion in the future. “We’re super-excited about this,” said Akre. “Our most recent station is Station 1, built in the mid-90’s.” The new station will replace Station 2 on Center Street, which was built in the mid-1970’s. “This is in the best interest of serving the public, with a new station current to infrastructure standards,” theChief said. The ability to secure the financing necessary for that purchase illustrates another example of why Measure H was written without a sunset provision.
By Anna Pier
