SANDY POINT, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A local fire district is asking voters for help to relocate its station.

Whatcom Fire District 17 was hit by two coastal floods in 2022 that destroyed its Sandy Point fire station and part of its equipment, resulting in about $750,000 in damages. The disaster hampered the district’s ability to respond to emergency calls and conduct training.

It’s now looking to rebuild the station outside the flood zone.

Campaign committee chair Jeane Carroll says the Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery has offered the district free space for a new station on an elevated property on Slater Road. Construction for the new station is estimated to cost $2-3 million, which the fire district hopes to be funded by a property tax increase.

Damage done to the fire station from the December 2022 flood. Photo courtesy of fire district 17.

Carroll adds the district also needs more funding to hire firefighters or EMTs for its staff that consists of two paid positions and 12 volunteers.

If it passes, the measure on this month’s special election ballot would raise the fire district’s property tax levy to $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of about 56 cents. Ballots were sent out to nearly 1,400 voters in the district on Wednesday for the election that takes place on April 23.

Damage done to the fire station from the December 2022 flood. Photo courtesy of fire district 17.