Grant County Fire District 8 welcomes your interest and we encourage you to contact us should you have any questions. We are honored to provide the citizens of Mattawa, Desert Aire, and surrounding areas of South Grant County, as well as visitors to our area with emergency services and education. We recognize the trust you place in us and the responsibility we have in doing the right thing on every incident every day.
The District is a combination organization of career and volunteer personnel that provides firefighting emergency services (structural and wildland), basic life support (BLS) emergency medical services, technical rescue (high and low angle rope, and vehicle/machinery extrication), and hazardous materials incident services. We now respond to over 700 calls for service annually. Our goal is to arrive within 10 minutes of notification of the alarm.
We are an active community partner and have established many mutually beneficial relationships with other community organizations including the Mattawa Police Department, Grant County County Sheriff's Office, Grant County Emergency Management, Grant County Public Utilities District, the Port of Mattawa, and Wahluke School District. Our Community Risk Reduction program serves as an outreach to other community organizations such as homeowner's groups and other social networks and services.
The District is continually searching for opportunities to improve our services, promote efficiency, and increase community and firefighter safety. We are accomplishing these goals at a time when it is imperative to capitalize on every expenditure and opportunity. We have entered into collaborative efforts with neighboring fire agencies to facilitate and promote cost savings and improve effectiveness as well as applying for state and federal grant opportunities. We will continue to increase the commitment to collaboration as an avenue of fiscal efficiency, employee safety, and community service. We are confident that we can improve our services and are committed to community safety, firefighter safety, and financial stewardship.
We are dedicated to protecting life, property, and the environment while preserving the past and leading into the future.
Sincerely,
Chief Matt Hyndman
Grant County Fire District 8 (District) provides emergency fire protection and emergency medical services to the communities of Mattawa, Desert Aire, and the outlying areas of south Grant County. The District is the only emergency medical transport service in its response area. The maximum EMS levy rate for Washington fire districts is $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Due to the statutory 1% limitation on property tax increases, the District’s current levy rate has dropped to $0.33 per thousand. The District previously levied at the rate of $0.50 per thousand in 2019.
If approved by the voters, this proposition will authorize the District to reestablish its EMS real property tax levy rate at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2024 for collection in 2025. The EMS levy must be renewed every six years or it is not collected. Taxes collected from this levy can only be used to provide emergency medical care or emergency medical services, including related personnel costs, training for such personnel and related equipment, supplies, vehicles, and structures needed to provide this care or service.
The Board of Commissioners has determined that the tax levy and the revenue it will produce is necessary to maintain and improve the current level of services, staffing, equipment, and facilities, and to purchase updated apparatus to continue to provide services for the protection of life, property, and the environment in the growing District and to enhance public safety.
Remember to vote in the upcoming election in February. Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same.
Consider volunteering your time and skills to support the District’s operations, community outreach programs, events, or fundraising activities.
Share this information with others, discuss the importance of the levy with your community, and encourage informed decision-making regarding the levy.
For more information, please contact me at 509-932-4777 or email me at chief@gcfd8.net.
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Updated 3/25/2024
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