The chief of the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority says more than a dozen career firefighter positions could be cut and two of the department's four full-time fire stations could close if a maintenance and operations levy proposal fails in the up-coming primary election.
Property owner Jim Elsner supports the levy.
He was prepared to evacuate when he saw a fast-moving brush fire approach his land last Thursday right off Interstate 5, he told KOMO News. It was the second time a brush fire has gotten close to his property within the past two years.
The proposed replacement levy goes before voters on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The current levy expires at the end of 2019.
If passed, money from the up-coming levy would help maintain the department’s current staffing levels and operational costs at a time when calls for service have steadily increased over the last five years, said West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Chief Russ Kaleiwahea.