by Chad Hampshire, Stevensville
Three Mile Fire is asking district voters to approve an additional 34-mill levy in the election on Tuesday, November 3. It would raise approximately $710,000 per year to fund six full-time firefighter/EMTs, ensuring that a trained crew is at our station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Why now? – Call volume has grown 88% in the last 10 years, and approximately 60% of our calls are medical. Our volunteers all have daytime jobs, and currently, it takes them 12 to 14 minutes just to get out the door. Career staff on duty would reduce that time to approximately 90 seconds. Right now, we meet the national standard for getting enough personnel on scene only 40% of the time.
Today, Three Mile Fire has no career staff, so every 911 call for fire or medical assistance relies on volunteers—if they are available.
What it costs – For a home valued at $400,000, the 34-mill levy would cost approximately $183.60 per year. That is $15.30 per month—roughly the price of one fast-food combo meal. Combined with our current 19.48 mills, the district’s total would be 53.48 mills. Your cost will be higher or lower depending on your home’s assessed value.
Possible insurance savings – Our ISO fire rating is currently estimated to be between Class 8 and Class 10, and we are targeting Class 5 or Class 6. For the same $400,000 home, that could result in average savings of $375 per year on insurance premiums. Savings depend on your insurer and policy.
Supporting our volunteers – This is not about replacing our volunteers. This supports the volunteers while volunteers are out of district or at work. Visit Threemilefiremt.gov for more information.
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