The New Melle Fire Protection District (NMFPD) is committed to its mission of putting the “Community FIRST.” This dedication to serving the community necessitates continual improvements to meet the growing and evolving needs of our residents. These measures are crucial for staffing an additional firehouse 24/7 with firefighter paramedics, significantly decreasing response times, and providing superior service to the citizens. Additionally, they will reduce insurance costs for residents and business owners while ensuring that we are adequately equipped to respond to emergencies across our 121-square-mile jurisdiction in St. Charles and Warren County. To this end, the district proposes a 28-cent tax rate increase and a $6 million no-tax-increase bond issue.
Currently, the NMFPD faces an average emergency response time exceeding 10 minutes. In critical situations, every second counts. A delayed response can mean the difference between life and death, between a minor incident and a major catastrophe. By staffing a new firehouse with firefighter paramedics 24/7, we aim to cut these response times substantially.
The proposed tax increase will fund the staffing of an additional firehouse around the clock with firefighter paramedics. These dual-trained professionals are capable of managing both fire and medical emergencies, ensuring comprehensive and immediate care. A 24/7 staffed firehouse will enable us to respond more rapidly and efficiently to emergencies, providing better service and enhancing the safety of our community.
The proposed tax increase will fund the staffing of an additional firehouse around the clock with firefighter paramedics. These dual-trained professionals are capable of managing both fire and medical emergencies, ensuring comprehensive and immediate care. A 24/7 staffed firehouse will enable us to respond more rapidly and efficiently to emergencies, providing better service and enhancing the safety of our community.
Insurance companies assess premiums based on the effectiveness and proximity of fire services. With the improvements funded by this tax increase, we anticipate better ratings from insurance evaluators. This will result in lower insurance premiums for both residents and business owners, offering significant long-term savings.
In addition to the tax rate increase, the NMFPD proposes a $6 million no-tax-increase bond issue to remodel the new firehouse and update our equipment. This bond will allow us to convert the firehouse into a facility that supports 24-hour operations and replace outdated emergency vehicles and equipment.
The firehouse requires significant upgrades to support continuous operations. This includes enhancing living quarters for around-the-clock occupancy, improving communication systems, and ensuring that all facilities are ready to handle emergencies at any hour. These improvements are essential for maintaining the readiness and efficiency of our firefighter paramedics.
Our current fleet includes two outdated fire trucks and a brush truck that need replacement. The bond issue will fund the acquisition of modern fire trucks and other necessary emergency equipment. Updated vehicles and equipment are more reliable and efficient, featuring the latest safety technologies to support our firefighters in protecting the community effectively.
The proposed 28-cent tax rate increase and $6 million no-tax-increase bond issue are vital investments in the safety and well-being of the New Melle community. These measures will allow us to staff an additional firehouse 24/7 with firefighter paramedics, significantly reducing our current response times of over 10 minutes. Enhanced emergency services will lead to better outcomes for those in need, lower insurance premiums, and greater overall safety. By supporting these initiatives, residents and business owners will contribute to a stronger, more resilient community, fully aligned with our mission of putting the “Community FIRST.”
