Vote Yes on Measure U to Expand the Garberville Fire Protection District!

Welcome to our letters to the editor/opinion section. To submit yours for consideration, please send to [email protected]. Please consider including an image to be used–either a photograph of you or something applicable to the letter. However, an image is not necessary for publication.

Remember opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of Redheaded Blackbelt nor have we checked the letters for accuracy.

Southern Humboldt Community –

Swift fire and emergency response is an increasing need throughout Southern Humboldt. Although the Garberville Fire Protection District (“GVPD”) currently covers–and is funded by–the properties within Garberville’s town limits, these first-responders provide fire and medical response from Benbow to Cooks Valley, from Alderpoint Road to Pratt Mountain, and elsewhere throughout the region. Surprisingly, over 98% of the land area to which GFPD resources are dispatched as the primary first responder is outside of their boundaries.

However, with rising costs and population growth, continued service outside GFPD boundaries is not financially sustainable. As GFPD is primarily funded through property taxes from properties within its borders, the Southern Humboldt community has worked tirelessly over the past year to find a solution, resulting in “Measure U,” a measure to expand the Garberville Fire Protection District boundaries, currently on the March 2023 ballot.

Measure U will better align the district boundaries with the areas they actually serve. In addition, the expansion is expected to significantly reduce response times, enhance a more comprehensive volunteer recruitment and retention program and to support the regular replacement of apparatus and equipment.

Other notable goals of the expansion are the improvement of the Sprowel Creek fire station and the development of an entirely new station in Benbow, a feat expected to cut emergency response times in half.

While the expansion, also referred to as an “annexation” of the new areas, will result in a slight increase in property taxes for those within the proposed borders, these minimal costs are likely to be dwarfed by the benefits of increased safety. Additionally, properties within a fire department’s boundaries may be eligible for a discount in fire insurance costs, depending on various circumstances such as insurance carrier and other site-specific factors. The specific tax increase amounts vary by property type and can be found here: https://friendsofgfpd.com/faqs/. Note that, even with the minimal and potentially offset cost to property owners, Measure U has so far received widespread support from businesses and individual property owners in the areas to be annexed.

If you want to join a broad coalition of your fellow Southern Humboldt community members who also support Measure U, please join us at these upcoming events:

The Crab Feed Dinner

• • December 10, 2022, 4:30 to 9:00 P.M.

• • Village Hall at the Benbow RV Park

• • $25 for dinner. You can buy tickets from any GFPD firefighter (or ask me!)

The Firefighters Chili Bowl

• • Saturday, December 17, 2022 (at the Garberville Annual Truck Parade), 2:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

• • The Firefighters’ Chili Bowl will be located under the town clock in Garberville.

Both events are hosted by the Friends of the Garberville Protection District. Please check out their FAQ page for more details about Measure U and its significant benefits here: https://friendsofgfpd.com/.

Thank you for voting YES on Measure U to keep our communities safe!

Heather L. Burke

Benbow Fire Safe Community / Benbow FireWise