BELLINGHAM, WA – North Whatcom Fire and Rescue is struggling to serve the community as demand increases, but funding does not.

In the last 10 years, call volumes have almost doubled requesting service from Fire and Rescue, with almost 60% of calls last year being for emergency medical services.

In a statement, Fire Chief Jason Van Der Veen said they desperately need more firefighters, adequate facilities and equipment in order to respond to calls.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue serves nearly 34,000 people in an over 150-square mile area.

The funding for the district is through a fire levy dependent on property values, with the current allocation amount dropping nearly 60% in the last 17 years.

The drop comes from a state law that caps any increase in funding at 1%, regardless of the rise in cost of property values in the area.

For the first time in 20 years, the district is asking for voters to reset the levy rate to $1.20 per $1,000 assessed property value.

If approved by the county council, the fire levy lift may make it to the August 2024 ballot.

For more information about the fire levy, you can visit the North Whatcom Fire and Rescue website.