The Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District Board of Directors voted unanimously to place a $.15 operating levy increase on the April 5th ballot. For a homeowner of a $300,000 home, the increase will be less than $7.15 per month.
In 2021, we responded to 2,125 calls for medical assistance at homes, businesses, traffic accidents, senior living facilities and schools; fought fires from farm fields to homes; and other emergencies. This is more than twice as many calls as the 908 in 2004, the last time that we asked for a tax increase. And over 10% of the calls are overlapping. In other words, we are responding to two emergency calls at the same time.
We are proud to provide some of the best emergency medical care in the area. In 2021, we made over 1,000 trips to hospitals transporting people who had been injured in accidents, had suffered a heart attack or stroke, had fallen and broken a bone, or suffered other medical emergency. This was a nearly 70% increase in trips since 2008. We want to be able to continue to provide the best medical care possible by continuing to update our medical equipment as technology improves to enhance overall patient outcomes. For example, our ambulances can now communicate with hospital staff and transmit vital information to the hospital while enroute including transmitting real-time 12-lead EKG results.
Since 2004, when we last asked for a tax increase for our operating budget, in response to the increase in calls, we have doubled our staff. In 2004, our career firefighter/EMTs and Paramedics staff was 12 (3 shifts of 4). In response to the increase in calls and population, we have expanded to a staff of 24 (3 shifts of 8)
All departments in the Kansas City metro area are dealing with a paramedic shortage. We need the ability to continue to attract and retain top firefighter/EMT and paramedic talent to continue to meet the significant increases in calls.
We also want to continue to offer other services to the community including monthly CPR/first-aid training classes, certified child safety seat installation at the Fire Station, fire safety education to schools and other community groups, and smoke detector installation and battery replacement.
The efficient fire protection and prevention services we provide not only saves lives and property, but also resulted in reduced insurance rates for homeowners, business owners, and renters.
You can check on the monthly CPR classes and see other information about our District by visiting kearneyfire.org.
If you have specific questions regarding this ballot issue, please contact Fire Chief Kevin Pratt at 816-628-4122 or via email at kpratt@kearneyfire.org.
