Why a Levy for Fire & EMS Is Needed

Why Do Response Times Matter?

Alfalfa Fire District places a strong emphasis on response times, and we track response times for every emergency call. Response time measures how long it takes emergency crews to arrive on scene from the moment someone calls 911.

Faster response times directly save lives and property.

• Fire emergencies: Faster arrival means fires are kept smaller, which results in less property damage and safer conditions for firefighters and residents.
• Medical emergencies: Faster response improves patient outcomes by allowing responders to provide lifesaving care sooner and transport patients to the hospital more quickly.

A local option levy provides the staffing, equipment, and training resources necessary to reduce response times across our service area, ensuring Alfalfa Fire & Rescue can reach people faster when emergencies happen.

What Is a Local Option Levy?

A local option levy, also known as an operating levy, is a funding mechanism that must be approved by voters within the district.

• The levy rate is based on a property’s taxable assessed value, not market value.
• This levy would apply only to properties located within the Alfalfa Fire District.
• Levy funds may be used for staffing and staffing-related expenses, including hiring firefighters and EMTs, purchasing equipment, and providing required training.

Local option levies can last for up to five years and must be renewed or replaced by voters to continue.

How Will Levy Funding Be Used?

If approved, levy funds would be used to support fire and emergency medical staffing, including:

• Hiring Firefighter/EMTs
• Purchasing required equipment such as PPE, uniforms, and medical supplies
• Providing training and certifications
• Covering staffing costs needed to ensure reliable response coverage

These investments directly reduce response times and improve emergency outcomes for the community.

Current Staffing and Service Limitations

Alfalfa Fire & Rescue currently employs:

• 1 Part-Time Fire Chief (20 hours per week)
• 1 Full-Time Firefighter/EMT, funded by a grant that expires June 30, 2026

When the grant expires, the District will revert to a single part-time staff member unless additional funding is secured.

Without levy funding:

• Staffing would be limited to 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
• All other coverage would rely solely on volunteers when available
• Daytime, evening, and weekend staffing would be inconsistent

This staffing model significantly impacts response times and creates safety risks for both responders and residents.

Why Additional Staffing Is Needed

Firefighter/EMT Positions

The District proposes creating two Firefighter/EMT positions to support a Basic Life Support (BLS) staffing model.

These positions would:

• Respond to non-emergent and emergent medical calls
• Provide basic medical care and transport to St. Charles Medical Center
• Reduce reliance on mutual aid, which can take 30 minutes or more to arrive
• Improve coverage during daytime hours when volunteer availability is limited

What Happens If the Levy Is Not Approved?

If the levy does not pass:

• The full-time Firefighter/EMT position will end when the grant expires in June 2026
• Staffing would be reduced to one part-time person
• Mutual aid would be required more frequently, with response times of 25 minutes or longer
• Volunteer burnout would increase as call volumes rise and staffing shortages persist

Volunteer numbers are declining statewide due to cost-of-living pressures, certification requirements, and work-life balance challenges. While volunteers remain critical to the District, reliance on volunteers alone is no longer sustainable.

In the long term, failure to secure funding could result in:

• Reduced service levels
• Inability to respond effectively to major incidents
• Risk of the District operating only limited hours—or potentially shutting down

Why Can’t the District Rely Only on Volunteers?

Volunteer recruitment and retention has become increasingly difficult:

• Many residents work full-time jobs outside the District
• Certification and training requirements are time-intensive
• Rising fuel and living costs limit availability

Although the District has modified the station to house volunteers from outside the area, these challenges persist statewide.

Volunteers have saved the District an estimated $5.4 million over the last 11 years, based on national data. Their service is invaluable—but volunteer staffing alone cannot guarantee consistent emergency response.

Why Not Use Grants Instead?

Federal grants are:

• Highly competitive
• Temporary (typically three years)
• Require increasing local matching funds

The cost to fund one full-time Firefighter/EMT is approximately $100,000 per year, including wages and benefits. For multiple positions, required matching funds quickly become unsustainable without stable local revenue.

Currently, there are no state-level grants available for permanent firefighter staffing.

Cost to Property Owners (Based on Assessed Value)

The levy rate is $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Assessed ValueAnnual CostMonthly Cost

$200,000$350$29.16

$300,000$525$43.75

$400,000$700$58.33

$500,000$875$72.91

$600,000$1,050$87.50

$700,000$1,225$102.08

$800,000$1,400$116.66

$900,000$1,575$131.25

$1,000,000$1,750$145.80

Most property owners in the District fall within the $300,000 or less assessed value range.

Why Is the District Asking Now?

When the District was formed, it was hoped additional funding would not be necessary. However, over time:

• Costs for fuel, utilities, insurance, equipment, and maintenance have increased
• Volunteer numbers have declined
• Grant funding is ending

Without a sustainable funding mechanism, the District cannot continue providing the level of service the community expects and deserves.

This levy provides a way to ensure someone is always available to respond, no matter the time of day.

Commitment to the Community

Every firefighter and volunteer in Alfalfa Fire & Rescue lives in this community and is impacted by this levy just like every other resident. After reviewing the costs and service impacts, the members of the District believe that maintaining fire and EMS services is worth the investment.

These funds would support the long-term mission of the District by providing reliable, 24/7 emergency coverage for the community we serve.