Fire service measures passing in O.S., East County

Voters are supporting the proposed annexation of the City of Elma Fire Department and Grays Harbor Fire Protection District #5 in East County. The preliminary results of the April 27 Special Election posted Tuesday night report just over 30% voter turnout from the 12,342 registered voters affected by a couple of proposals. One ballot item for Ocean Shores voters requesting a six-year levy for Emergency Medical Services is passing, along with the fire items. Some ballots are still left to count, the results will be certified on May 7.

In East Grays Harbor County, voters of Fire District 5 in the Porter, Satsop, and rural Elma area joined with voters in the City of Elma to support two ballot items needed to allow the fire departments to combine services. So far, 396 registered Elma voters support annexation, and 94 voted against it in preliminary numbers. In the Fire District, 713 voters support and 129 voted against their related measure. Both measures have to pass in order to allow the merger.

District #5 also provides all EMT and paramedic level services to the Elma, McCleary and Grays Harbor Fire District 12.

Representatives from Grays Harbor Fire District 5 said their thanks in a post to social media to, “the many that have worked so hard over the past several years to make this happen we want to thank the citizens and community for making a decision allowing our agency and Elma Fire to move forward as one. There will still be many processes that we will be going through to make this move, many that we have already begun and we cannot wait to continue serving our community in this improved capacity. Thank you”

In Ocean Shores, an Emergency Medical Services levee for a six-year period is passing with over 69% yes votes to date.