Burney Fire Protection District has saved
lives & property for the last 81 years.
It is our turn to help save them with Measure B
Since 1939 Burney Fire Protection District has been protecting local lives and property. But increased costs for fire and ambulance apparatus, equipment, state-mandated training, and repairs for our local fire stations have not kept pace with the one penny of revenue per local property tax dollar provided to the District under Proposition 13 limitations—Burney Fire needs our immediate help.
To ensure the safe, sustainable operation of our local fire department, we respectfully ask you to vote “Yes on Measure B” on March 3 for a modest annual local property parcel fee. And once approved, Measure B fees will not change without future voter approval.
By voting “YES on Measure B,” Burney Fire Protection District will receive critical operational funding necessary to meet its basic life-health-safety obligations to our citizens and visitors.
Make no mistake---without passage of Measure B the District will not be able to sustain its high level of professional, reliable emergency services provided to Burney area residents and visitors
What are the Facts Behind Measure B?
Burney Fire Protection District provides emergency response to over 35 square miles and ambulance service to roughly 1,600 square miles. Based on assessed property tax values, Burney Fire is the primary entity protecting our real estate valued at nearly $30 million.
Yet while District revenues have remained relatively flat for years, costs to operate have increased substantially for fire apparatus, mandatory training, insurance, ambulances, equipment, fire stations requiring roof replacement, paving, siding repairs, painting, etc. Operations costs have also risen due to increased public calls for help by an average of 20% a year since 2016. At the same time, volunteer firefighter numbers have dropped dramatically, by more than two-thirds.
Doing more on less is simply no longer sustainable for Burney Fire District
The message is clear: Vehicle, building, training, and equipment costs have risen dramatically in recent years while revenues have not kept pace, and the District’s safe, effective operation is simply not sustainable under this “deficit” scenario. By adding a modest parcel fee to property taxes paid locally, Measure B will generate about $103,000 a year to help offset those increasing operational costs.
Without this modest increase, Burney Fire District cannot continue to operate effectively
What Will Measure B Funds Be Used For?
Burney Fire's performance over the years has resulted in a respectably high Insurance Services Office rating (ISO). This is important to all of us since insurance companies rely on ISO ratings to establish our premiums, and therefore a high ISO rating means we pay less for our property insurance. To maintain our ISO status and safe, reliable District operations, Measure B funds will offset costs for:
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Fire Apparatus -- The District utilizes several structure and wildland engines/support vehicles, two water tenders, a utility vehicle, and trailers (hazmat, rope rescues, Incident Commands). Replacement and maintenance costs for these will be paid for with Measure B funds.
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Ambulances -- The District operates two ambulances; replacement, repairs, maintenance, supplies, and medical equipment will be offset with Measure B funds. As an example, each ambulance requires a multi-function, 12-lead Cardiac Care-Defibrillation unit— existing ones are beyond their design life, not repairable, and cost $25,000 each.
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Tools, Training, Personal Protective Fire and Medical Aid Gear, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Insurance – State-mandated training costs have risen, as have those for personal protective gear, equipment, and insurance. Fire tools, nozzles, thousands of feet of fire hose, radios, deluge/deck guns, and foam system equipment are all examples of equipment that have limited lifespans and require regular replacement or mandated upgrading.
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Burney Fire Station Repairs -- Station 1 roof leaks require total roof replacement and repairs with costs estimated at $40,000. Both Burney and Johnson Park stations need tens of thousands of dollars’ in additional repairs and maintenance (paving, painting, siding and door repairs, etc.) that have been deferred due to budget shortfalls. These costs will be paid for with Measure B funds.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Garrett Costello
Burney Basin Fire Safe Council
Services provided by the Burney Fire Protection District are vital to maintaining safety in our community. This small but important fee will stay in our community and make us more secure.
Measure B will give the crucial funds needed to become sustainable and operate at a level which will assure better protection for our community.
Tri County Community Network
Garrett Costello
Burney Basin Fire Safe Council
We need your support to get the word out in our community.
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Flyers available at the Burney Chamber of Commerce office.
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Share and like our posts on social media.
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Talk to your neighbors and encourage local businesses.
Measure B’s Annual Parcel Fees—How Much?
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$ 29 per parcel--- Vacant Lot
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$ 46 per parcel--- Residential Property
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$104 per parcel--- Commercial Property
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$304 per parcel--- Industrial Property
Even with voter approval of the modest Measure B annual Burney Parcel Fee, inflation is estimated to push District costs by 2030 up an additional $119,000. Since Measure B’s parcel fee amount is fixed, to help offset this amount the District will continue its strong history of obtaining grants and public agency donations of used fire and medical equipment.
Please Vote Yes on Measure B for Burney Fire Protection District Parcel Fee
Even with voter approval of the modest Measure B annual Burney Parcel Fee, inflation is estimated to push District costs by 2030 up an additional $119,000 per year. Since Measure B’s parcel fee amount is fixed, to help offset this amount the District will continue its strong history of obtaining grants and public agency donations of used fire and medical equipment.
Please consider becoming a volunteer firefighter, first responder, or EMT at Burney Fire Protection District, and on March 3 be sure to vote “Yes” on Measure B.
A vote for Measure B is a vote for Burney Fire and our safety.
Please Vote YES on B!