To the editor:

I manage the volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) program for South Whidbey Fire/EMS. I thought your readers might be interested to know that we have more than 75 volunteers donating 25,000 hours each year to help people in the South Whidbey community.

This is a valuable program. Relying on volunteers saves our taxpayers $1.15 million each year in personnel costs. It’s even more valuable in that it saves lives every day. In 2011, our volunteers responded to 1,900 emergency calls for help.

Volunteering with the fire department is a way of life for South Whidbey residents. Some of our volunteers are even second and third generation!

In November, you will have a chance to vote on a levy lid lift to continue funding our volunteer program. The taxes you pay make sure that our volunteer firefighters and EMTs are trained and have the equipment they need for fire and medical calls.

Please feel free to ask us if you have questions about the levy. On behalf of all of us, thank you for your support.

Paul Busch

Operations Chief