Amidst the maze of ballot propositions on the November ballot, there’s one you might have missed. It’s called Measure E, as in “emergency,” that raises the tax on residential and commercial properties to bolster fire and paramedic responses in Los Angeles County.
Those who don’t see Measure E on their mail-in ballot, don’t panic. Measure E is only before voters who live in unincorporated county communities such as Hacienda Heights and Topanga, and 60 cities who contract with the L.A. County Fire Department and are part of the county’s Consolidated Fire Protection District.
Residents who live in bigger cities such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale or Burbank, and some smaller ones, are not affected.
Measure E will assess properties a tax of 6 cents per square foot of structural improvements, not including parking. The measure will generate about $152 million annually.
“It would be used to upgrade equipment, such as replacing old fire engines. Some are 27 years old. As well as help close the staffing gap and modernize the 911 system,” said Douglas Herman, spokesperson for the Yes on Measure E campaign.
According to the campaign, here are some ways the extra tax dollars would help the fire department’s performance and shorten response times:
• Replacing old fire engines, some nearly three decades old. “This is like relying on a decades-old mechanically questionable family car for emergencies,” according to the campaign.
• Modernizing fire and paramedic equipment. For example, the department could deploy thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint fire victims. Also money would go to defibrillators, emergency supplies and protective gear.
• Hiring more paramedics. In about two-thirds of calls, fire crews go out short-staffed, the campaign reported, despite the rise in the number of calls. Call volumes have increased 50% over the last 10 years, the campaign reported.
• Improving 911. With most calls coming from cell phones on a system…
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