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Fire chief previews 78¢ levy to add daytime firefighters, cites national volunteer shortfall
Summary
Vernonia-area fire leadership told council the Vernon Hills Fire Protection District will seek a 78¢ per $1,000 levy on the May ballot to fund increased daytime staffing (two firefighters on duty) and noted a nationwide drop in volunteers that affects local readiness.
Fire Chief Greg Grover told the council the Vernon Hills Fire Protection District intends to seek a 78¢ per $1,000 levy on the May ballot to boost daytime staffing and reduce reliance on volunteers. "We're gonna be seeking 78¢ per thousand," Grover said; he said the change would raise the district's total rate to about $2.97 per $1,000, aligning the district’s rate with others in the county that provide 24-hour staffing.
Grover said the district currently often has one firefighter on duty during daytime hours and that adding personnel would allow at least two firefighters on duty seven days a week, improving safety and enabling the department to accept a second ambulance during simultaneous calls. He also noted broader recruitment challenges: "Volunteering is down 60% nationwide," Grover said, and urged community members to consider volunteering in nonfirefighter support roles as well. The chief said signs and outreach about the levy campaign will appear soon.
