Statement For · Tom Rosmond
statement appears humanCommittee: Chip Keen
The Three Rivers Fire Department (District 6) is the smallest fire district in Clallam County. It serves the communities connected by the La Push, Quillayute Prairie, Mora, and Goodman Mainline roads. It’s bounded on the west by ONP and the Quileute Nation, and it extends just east of the Prairie / La Push road junction. While the smallest, it is still beholden to the same National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards enforced by major metropolitan districts. Over the past 16 years, NFPA has added new requirements for PPE cleaning, documentation, SCBA performance, ensemble testing, and staffing readiness. Basic turnout gear that cost $2,000 in 2010 costs $5,000 today. Overall, NFPA compliance costs over 100% more today than it did when the District last asked for a levy lid lift in 2010. In 2011, annual District revenue from taxpayers was $31,214. The anticipated revenue for 2026 is $38,941. Over the past 15 years, expenses have risen more than 100% while revenue has risen by 25%. District revenue from property taxes hasn’t even kept up with the national inflation rate. Additional revenue from timber sales has averaged about $12,000 per year since 2010, but it is not reliable. The most current DNR projection for 2027 timber revenue is less than $1,000. Please vote to support our all-volunteer fire department so that we may continue to safely serve you as first responders for fire protection, fire prevention, emergency communications, emergency services and the protection of life and property.