By Sara Jean Green
The Seattle Times
KING COUNTY, Wash. — A $1.45 billion property tax levy to continue emergency medical services across King County passed Tuesday night with 79.4% approval from voters.
Money raised over six years by King County Proposition No. 1 to fund Seattle’s Medic One program and King County’s Emergency Medical Services would continue 27 advanced life support paramedic units, along with firefighters who are trained as emergency medical technicians. The levy money would also be used to expand services and update tools for 911 dispatchers and responders.
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Proponents of the levy renewal say the Medic One-Emergency Medical Services system is one of the best emergency medical services programs in the country. Paramedics and firefighters responded to over 255,000 medical 911 calls last year.
At a rate of 25 cents for $1,000 assessed value, owners of a home valued at $850,000 will pay about $212 annually. This is slightly lower than the expiring rate of 26.5 cents per $1,000, which voters approved in 2019.
Medic One-Emergency Medical Services serves more than 2.3 million people in Seattle and King County and provides lifesaving services every two minutes on average. Compared to other communities, cardiac arrest victims are two to three times more likely to survive in Seattle and King County, according to Public Health - Seattle & King County’s annual report.
The system is managed by Public Health and is a partnership between the county, cities, fire districts, regional fire authorities, hospitals and the University of Washington.
While the new levy is largely a renewal, it will provide increased funding for Mobile Integrated Healthcare. Currently, 11 mobile health care teams respond to nonemergency calls, alleviating EMT responses and connecting people to health and social services.
There was no organized opposition to the levy measure.
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