JW: YES, I watched the JOLT/LWV forum, and NO, I do not agree with you. I think you misunderstood the discussion, and have not read the RFA Strategic Plan.
The seven-year RFA Strategic Plan contains ZERO increase in firefighters. In year 1, it is 71 firefighters and 28 firefighter-paramedics, and in year seven it is71 firefighters and 28 firefighter-paramedics. The Yelm Highway fire station, identified by the City of Olympia for development as part of the Yelm Highway Community Park, is nowhere to be found in the RFA Strategic Plan.
I base everything I say on the public documents obtained by www.saveourfd.org You can look at the facts on that website. Direct excerpts from the RFA Strategic Plan, and videos from the RFA Planning Committee meetings.
Please use your real name in future communications. The public has a right to know if you are a paid shill for the campaign, a current or former IAFF employee, or a citizen who happens to have strong opinions. Hiding behind two letters is simply cowardice. Making stuff up, and refusing to point to the source documents you rely on is dishonest.
The firefighters and EMTs that Olympia is currently hiring to staff the BLS transport unit and the people who might be hired for the CARE unit are positions completely independent of approval of the RFA. If the RFA is approved, they will be located within the RFA; if not, they will be City of Olympia employees.
The RFA budget does not include their salaries, benefits, or equipment. These costs will either be paid for with user fees (charges of over $1,000 for transport, with some of that paid by insurance, and some by the patients), or with grants, or else the RFA will have to increase the Fire Benefit Charges above the $417/year estimated for my house.
In any event, these positions are unrelated to approval of the RFA. There are no new firefighters funded in the RFA Seven-Year Strategic Plan. None. Not one. Zero. It's right there on the RFASTRAT tab of the RFA Workbook entitled TORFA_Strat_Plan_22.10.14_LK available from the City of Tumwater by public records request.
Big new fees. No new service. Vote NO.
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