October 14, 2022

[Gig Harbor, Wash.] – Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One is asking voters to consider renewing the levy for Emergency Medical Service during the November 8, 2022, General Election. Fire Chief Dennis Doan personally welcomes any questions the community may have at 253-851-3111 or ddoan@gigharborfire.org.

The EMS levy is not a new tax and this levy is capped at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Voters last approved the EMS levy at the same rate in 2016.

New property value assessments recently came out for the Gig Harbor community. Higher AVs do not increase revenue for the fire district by the same amount property values rise. Like all fire districts, GHFMO is limited to a 1% increase in revenue. Anything above the 1% must be approved by voters.

“Simply put: we can’t do this work without you,” Fire Chief Dennis Doan said. “Your past approval means our community receives the highest level of EMS care available called ‘Advanced Life Support’ or ‘ALS.’ “

Most fire districts provide Basic Life Support with firefighter/EMTs. ALS uses firefighter/paramedics with more than 1,000 hours of training. Paramedics can start intravenous lines, administer medication, provide advanced airway management to help patients breathe, and can interpret EKG readings of a heart attack patient, among other lifesaving medical care procedures.

Additionally, fire district residents are not charged for ambulance transport costs to area hospitals over what insurance, Medicare or Medicaid pay. This is included as part of the EMS levy.

In 2021, EMS calls accounted for 78% of all emergency calls. EMS calls for the first sixth months of 2022 were 12.4% higher than the same period in 2021. Renewing the EMS levy at the same rate helps the fire district keep up with increasing call volumes and demands for service.

More information about the EMS renewal can be found at www.gigharborfire.org/about/EMS.

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to 6,350 calls in 2021. Emergency medical service accounts for 78% of all calls. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly trained personnel and rescue programs.

September 16, 2022

[Gig Harbor, Wash.] – Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One is asking voters to renew its levy for emergency medical services on the November General Election ballot. In 2021, EMS calls accounted for 78 percent of all emergency calls.

“EMS accounts for the supermajority of our calls,” Fire Chief Dennis Doan said. “Thanks to community support, we provide the highest level and quality of care with skilled paramedics 24 hours a day. We also don’t charge Gig Harbor residents for ambulance transport costs to area hospitals. This is included in the EMS levy.”

Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One provides the highest quality level of EMS care available called “Advanced Life Support.” This means its EMS program includes highly skilled paramedics with more than 1,000 hours of training. Paramedics can start intravenous lines, administer medication, provide advanced airway management to help patients breathe, and can interpret EKG readings of a heart attack patient, among other lifesaving medical care procedures.

The EMS levy that funds this lifesaving care is capped at $0.50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This rate was approved by voters in 2016 and has since dropped to $0.44/$1,000. The $0.06/$1,000 increase would cost $2.50 per month ($30 per year) for the owner of a $500,000 home.

Since 2016, EMS calls have increased 16.7%. EMS calls for the first sixth months of 2022 were 12.4% higher than the same period in 2021. Renewing the EMS levy at the same rate helps the fire district keep up with increasing call volumes and demands for service.

More information about the EMS renewal can be found at www.gigharborfire.org/about/EMS. Fire Chief Dennis Doan also welcomes questions at 253-851-3111 or ddoan@gigharborfire.org.

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to 6,350 calls in 2021. Emergency medical service accounts for 78% of all calls. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly trained personnel and rescue programs.

July 7, 2022

[Gig Harbor, Wash.] – Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One (GHFMO) is holding three public meetings for residents to learn more about the facilities bond on the August 2, 2022 Primary Election ballot. The purpose of the bond is to add space for emergency personnel, and improve community safety and the health and safety of its firefighters.

Meetings will be held on:

• Wednesday, July 13 at 6:00 p.m. – Station 53 (Fox Island), 906 Kamus Dr., Fox Island
• Saturday, July 23 at 1:30 p.m. – Station 58 (Swede Hill), 10302 Bujacich Rd., Gig Harbor
• Wednesday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m. – Station 51 (Gig Harbor), 6711 Kimball Dr., Gig Harbor

Cancer is known to be a leading cause of death among firefighters. Some stations lack decontamination areas to remove soot, hydrocarbons and toxic chemicals from firefighting gear. There is also a need for space to decontaminate medical equipment after EMS calls.

Other renovations include adding space for emergency personnel, complying with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, seismic upgrades, and enlarging bays to shelter modern apparatus.

The bond would fund needed improvements at Station 53 (Fox Island), 57 (Crescent Valley), 58 (Swede Hill), and 59 (Artondale). It also will replace Station 51, the community’s busiest station in downtown Gig Harbor, and build a live fire training facility.

The bond would last for 20-years and is projected to cost the owner of a $500,000 home (considered the average for the Gig Harbor community) $9.90 per month, or $118.80 per year. (The calculation rate is $0.238 per $1,000 of assessed property value.) Please note that the assessed value of your property is lower than its market value. The financial health of GHFMO helps ensure a favorable bond rate, as well.

More information on the facilities bond can be found at www.gigharborfire.org/about/bond. Fire Chief Dennis Doan also welcomes your questions at DDoan@gigharborfire.org.

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to a high of 6,685 calls in 2019. Emergency medical service accounts for 78% of all calls. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly-trained personnel and rescue programs.

Bond Measure on August 2 Primary Election Ballot

June 21, 2022

[Gig Harbor, Wash.] – Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One (GHFMO) reports that call volumes have increased 13.1% from January through May of 2022 compared to the same period last year. GHFMO attributes the increase to growth and an aging population in its service territory.

“Our community requires additional emergency personnel, but we have no place to put them,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan. “The purpose of the bond is to create more space for emergency personnel, and improve community safety and the health and safety of our firefighters.”

The bond also will help shelter modern apparatus, which is too large to fit in the current fire station bays. Emergency apparatus, such as fire engines, can cost as much as $700,000. It’s important to keep them sheltered from extreme weather to extend their usable lives.

The bond would fund needed improvements at Station 53 (Fox Island), 57 (Crescent Valley), 58 (Swede Hill), and 59 (Artondale). Some stations do not meet ADA requirements, or current seismic standards. They also lack living quarters to accommodate current and projected staffing levels, and a diverse work force. Renovations to stations will improve the Fire District’s ability to respond to emergencies, and ensure fire stations can withstand an earthquake.

Cancer is known to be a leading cause of death among firefighters. Some stations lack decontamination areas to remove soot, hydrocarbons and toxic chemicals from firefighting gear. There is also a need for space to decontaminate medical equipment after EMS calls.

The bond also would construct a live fire training facility. Currently, firefighters may only train with live fire once every three years and must leave the area to do so. A local fire training facility would ensure firefighters train more often to perfect these life and property-saving skills.

The bond would last for 20-years and is projected to cost the owner of a $500,000 home (considered the average for the Gig Harbor community) $9.90 per month, or $118.80 per year. (The calculation rate is $0.238 per $1,000 of assessed property value.) Please note that the assessed value of your property is lower than its market value. The financial health of GHFMO helps ensure a favorable bond rate, as well.

More information on the facilities bond can be found at www.gigharborfire.org/about/bond. Fire Chief Dennis Doan also welcomes your questions at DDoan@gigharborfire.org.

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to a high of 6,685 calls in 2019. Emergency medical service accounts for 78% of all calls. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly-trained personnel and rescue programs.

Measure on the August 2 Primary Election Ballot

April 13, 2022

 [Gig Harbor, Wash.] –  The Board of Fire Commissioners for Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One (GHFMO) unanimously passed a resolution to place a facilities bond on the August 2, 2022 Primary Election ballot. The purpose of the facility improvements is to improve community safety, and improve the health and safety of emergency personnel.

Stations 53 (Fox Island), 57 (Crescent Valley), 58 (Swede Hill), and 59 (Artondale) are scheduled for improvements. Some stations do not meet ADA requirements, or current seismic standards. They also lack living quarters to accommodate current and projected staffing levels, and a diverse work force.

“Call volumes have increased to the point where we need more space for personnel. The Gig Harbor community has grown that much,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan. “Adding space for current and future staffing will improve our ability to respond district-wide to emergencies.”

The Fire District recently completed a Standards of Cover report that identifies staffing needs based on the quantity and location of emergency calls. The Gig Harbor community has grown by more than 16% since 2010. Call volumes have increased 37% in the same time period.

Just as important for GHFMO is providing a healthier work environment for emergency personnel. Cancer is known to be a leading cause of death among firefighters. Some of stations lack decontamination areas to remove soot, hydrocarbons and smoke from firefighting gear. There is also a need for space to decontaminate medical equipment used at EMS calls.

“I may be a fire chief now, but I was a firefighter for most of my professional career. I’ve lost colleagues to work-related illnesses,” said Chief Doan. “We know so much more now about preventing this loss of life compared to when I started. I feel so strongly about this issue. I hope the community will recognize the importance of providing a safer work environment for the women and men who serve our community.”

Other bond projects include building a facility for regular live fire trainings. Currently, firefighters may only train on live fire once every three years and must leave the area to perfect these life and property-saving skills. The training facility would be constructed on land owned by the Fire District adjacent to Station 58 (Swede Hill).

“When you call 911 for a fire? It’s ‘go time’ for you and our people,” said Chief Doan. “We want our firefighters to have as much live fire training as possible. It’s not something you can simulate with a computer program.”

Station 51 in Gig Harbor is also slated for replacement. It’s the Fire District’s busiest station, and requires replacement to continue serving the heaviest call volume, including additional personnel and modern emergency apparatus that won’t fit into the current bays.

The bond would last for 20-years and is projected to cost $9.90 per month for the owner of a $500,000 home. The assessed value of a home is less than its market value. Interest rates are still low, and the financial health of the Fire District helps ensure a favorable finance rate.

The Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously approved a Capital Facilities Plan in December of 2021 to identify needed facility improvements, and apparatus and equipment purchases. The Fire District recognized that it could not fund all items at the same time, and prioritized the project list.

More information on the facilities bond can be found at www.gigharborfire.org/about/bond. Fire Chief Dennis Doan also welcomes your questions at DDoan@gigharborfire.org.

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to a high of 6,685 calls in 2019. Emergency medical service accounts for 78% of all calls. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly-trained personnel and rescue programs.

Public Invited to Learn More and Provide Comment

March 15, 2022

 [Gig Harbor, Wash.] –  The Board of Fire Commissioners for Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One (GHFMO) will meet to discuss a resolution to place a facilities bond on the August 2, 2022 Primary Election ballot. There will be two meetings where the proposal is discussed, and the community is welcome and encouraged to attend the virtual meetings.

The meetings will be held at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 and Tuesday, April 12. Meetings are held via Zoom and accessed using a link on the District website www.gigharborfire.org. Community members unable to attend are encouraged to send input to Fire Chief Dennis Doan at DDoan@gigharborfire.org. All comments become part of the official record.

The Gig Harbor community has grown by more than 16% since 2010. Call volumes have increased 37% in the same time period. Emergency medical service accounts for 78% of all calls.

The Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously approved a Capital Facilities Plan in December of 2021. Priority projects for the bond include building a training facility, and renovating or replacing fire stations.

The Fire District has no facility for regular live fire trainings. This means firefighters may only train on live fire once every three years and must leave the area to perfect these life and property-saving skills. The training facility would be constructed on land owned by the Fire District adjacent to Station 50 (Swede Hill).

Stations 53 (Fox Island), 57 (Crescent Valley), 58 (Swede Hill), and 59 (Artondale) are scheduled for improvements. Some stations do not meet ADA requirements, or current seismic standards. They also lack living quarters to accommodate current and projected staffing levels, and a diverse work force.

Just as important for GHFMO is providing a healthier work environment for emergency personnel. Cancer is known to be a leading cause of death among firefighters. Some of stations lack decontamination areas to remove soot, hydrocarbons and smoke from firefighting gear. There is also a need for space to decontaminate medical equipment used at EMS calls.

Station 51 in Gig Harbor is the Fire District’s busiest station. The Capital Facilities Plan calls for replacing the current station at the same location to accommodate additional personnel and modern emergency apparatus.

The bond would last for 20-years and is projected to cost $9.90 per month for the owner of a $500,000 home. Interest rates are still low, and the financial health of the Fire District helps ensure a favorable finance rate.

“It’s an exciting time for our community and Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan. “Our community has grown to the point it requires a modern emergency response. We’re putting plans in motion to deliver the level of service our community requires.”

More information on the facilities bond can be found at www.gigharborfire.org/about/bond.

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to a high of 6,685 calls in 2019. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly-trained personnel and rescue programs.

EMS calls jump 8% in one year

January 27, 2026

[Gig Harbor, Wash.] – Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One shared 2021 call volumes for the Fire District that provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. Emergency medical service (EMS) calls in 2021 were up 8% compared to the year before (4,578 to 4,945). Emergency calls in general increased 3% over last year (from 6,136 to 6,316).

“We are making improvements in how we provide service to meet this demand,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan. “I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated emergency personnel, who are rising to the challenge.”

The Fire District recently completed a Standards of Cover Report, which identifies staffing needs for the community. Emergency personnel is funded out of the agency’s operating levies, which are capped at $1.50 for fire suppression and $0.50 for EMS. (Amounts listed are per $1,000 of assessed property value.)

EMS accounts for 78% of all emergency calls, and the lid lift that maintains funding for the program will expire at the end of 2022. GHFMO anticipates asking the community to renew it at the same rate previously approved by voters. That ballot measure is likely to be on the November 2022 General Election ballot.

Another issue the agency is trying to address involves its outdated facilities. The Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously approved a Capital Facilities Plan in December of 2021. The project list is long and the Fire District realizes it can’t do everything at once.

“Adequate facilities are important to the delivery of emergency services, and this plan has been needed for a long time,” said Chief Doan. “These projects will improve the health and safety of our community and its firefighters.”

Priority projects include building a training facility, replacing one station and renovating two to four others depending on the cost. Capital projects are too expensive to fund out of the Fire District’s operating levies without significantly cutting emergency service levels. The Fire District is discussing the potential for a bond request on the August Primary Election ballot.

The discussion is timely considering January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is known to be a leading cause of death among firefighters. Some of GHFMO’s stations lack appropriate decontamination areas to remove soot, hydrocarbons and smoke from firefighting gear. There also is a need for space to decontaminate medical equipment after EMS calls.

“I feel strongly about providing a healthy and safe working environment for the women and men who put their lives on the line every day for our community,” said Chief Doan. “I hope our community feels the same and sees this as a top priority for facility improvements.”

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Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 5 (known as Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One) provides fire and life safety services to 53,000 people over 54 square miles. The Fire District responded to a high of 6,685 calls in 2019. Calls for emergency responses have increased 42% since 2011. Through community support, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One has built one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Pierce County with highly-trained personnel and rescue programs.