WESTERN SIERRA COUNTY — Downieville Fire Protection District and Sierra City Fire District have launched their campaign to renew the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) tax which funds half of the paramedic-staffed ambulance system for western Sierra County. The $60 annual tax on improved parcels was instituted in 2021 and, as mandated by the California constitution, must be approved by the voters every 4 years. Measure A for Downieville/Goodyears Bar and Measure B for Sierra City will appear on the presidential primary ballot this March 5. This tax enables Downieville Fire Protection District to maintain 24/7 paramedic coverage. Paramedics, licensed to provide advanced care, play a crucial role in EMS because their advanced training surpasses the capabilities of volunteer EMTs and First Responders.

In the past three years, the Downieville Ambulance Paramedic program responded to 420 emergency calls. Approximately half of these runs were Downieville/Goodyears Bar and the rest were in the Sierra City/Lakes Basin area. Proponents of Measures A and B maintain that in voting YES you ensure residents and visitors will continue to receive the highest level of care when every second counts.

Each measure needs a 2/3rds majority vote for passage, which underlines the importance of widespread community support. The fire district representatives want you to know that each vote in favor of Measure A (Downieville/Goodyears Bar) or Measure B (Sierra City) is a vote for a resilient and well-equipped emergency response system.