NORTH WHIDBEY FIRE AND RESCUE
Serving the unincorporated areas
of
North Whidbey Island...

Citizen's Advisory Committee
Information & Survey
Integrity Respect Excellence Duty
Fire Levy Lid Lift
Thank You From Your Fire Chief
All of us at North Whidbey Fire & Rescue want to say thank you to community members for approving our fire levy lid lift in the recent election. We are sincerely grateful for the support.
Funding will be used to replace two fire engines, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (called “SCBAs”) for firefighters, and emergency radios. This apparatus and equipment is critical to saving lives and property as well as keeping our firefighters safe.
We will report back to you as these capital items are delivered and placed in service to benefit our community. In the meantime, thank you again for the support and opportunity to serve you and your family.
Chief John Clark
It’s time to replace some emergency apparatus and equipment.
Call volumes have increased an average of more than four percent a year (or 45 percent over 10 years). More calls mean added wear and tear on emergency apparatus and equipment. Two fire engines are at the end of their usable lives, and at risk of being unreliable to respond to calls. Likewise, we need to replace emergency radios and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for the safety of our community and firefighters.
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue asked voters to consider a Fire Levy lid lift of 15 cents/$1,000 of assessed property value during the November 3, 2020 General Election. The Fire Levy lid lift will enable NWFR to pay cash for these items instead of financing them which would cost taxpayers more due to interest payments. The additional cost for the owner of a $370,000 home (an average for our area) will be approximately $4.63 per month ($55.50 per year). Here's a chart based on different property values in our district:
Property Assessed Value Monthly Cost Annual Cost
$100,000 $1.25 $15
$200,000 $2.50 $30
$300,000 $3.75 $45
$370,000 (Average for NWFR) $4.63 $55.50
$400,000 $5.00 $60
$500,000 $6.25 $75
Replacing these items also will maintain our community insurance rating, which is linked to the amount some home and business owners pay in premiums.
MORE INFORMATION
Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Chief John Clark welcomes the opportunity to provide a 20-30 minute presentation to local groups and organizations about the fire district, the fire levy lid lift and the items it will fund, as well as answer any questions. The fire district can also host a virtual meeting for your group using Zoom. If you would like to schedule a presentation with Chief Clark please contact him at 360-675-1131 or chiefclark@nwfr.org.
In The News
North Whidbey fire chief: Levy needed to replace essential equipment
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD - 9/16/2020
Letters: North Whidbey Fire levy increase has many benefits
WHIDBEY THE HERALD NEWS - 8/19/2020
Editorial: Fire districts worth the cost, especially when you need them
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES - 7/21/2020
Fire commissioners place levy lid lift on ballot
SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD - 7/17/2020
Fire districts to hold public meetings to discuss levy lid lifts
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES - 7/13/2020
Media Releases
Questions About the Fire Levy Lid Lift? We Have Answers!
October 9, 2020
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Lid Lift to Replace Apparatus, Equipment
September 15, 2020
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Works to Improve Communication with Taxpayers
August 28, 2020
Board of Fire Commissioners Passes Lid Lift Resolution
July 15, 2020
Board of Fire Commissioners to Meet on Fire Levy Lid Lift
July 2, 2020
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Introduces New Fire Chief
June 23, 2020
Meeting on Fire Levy Lid Lift
The Board of Fire Commissioners held meetings open to the public on:
Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 7 a.m.
Monday, October 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.