The Central Valley Fire District is asking voters to consider this mill levy to allow us to maintain the services that we provide to our community, and better respond to the unprecedented growth that our is occurring within our jurisdiction. Our why is based upon the following key points: 

1.        Stabilize the District’s Budget & Maintain Staff 

The District, is currently operating with an operational deficit. As a political subdivision of Gallatin County, our Budget is currently reliant upon operational reserve funds available to make up the difference between our revenue and our expenditures. Without the additional mills, it is projected that in the next 2 to 2½ years, the district will deplete reserve funds. With most of our operational funds being utilized for staffing, without additional funds, we will have to examine our current staffing and potential solutions.

 2.        Our Area Continues to Experience Growth

 As the area that the fire district serves continues to grow and expand, our population as well as our call volume continue to increase. In the last 10 years, the district’s call volume has increased by 78%. In addition to the increased calls for service, the district consistently responds to multiple incidents occurring at the same time. From June 2024 – August 2024, 40% of calls overlapped. These overlaps further reduce the available responders to assist in an emergency event. Industry Standards provide an Effective Fire Force of 17 responders for a single story residential structure fire, the district currently has 12 responders per shift, requiring mutual aid partners to provide the difference, and increasing response times.

3.        Additional Service Providers and Costs of Providing Service

 The District, like a majority of Fire Departments across the nation is experiencing a critical shortage of Paramedics. While all career firefighters of the district are trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, the district currently only has 9 Paramedics (25% of our Operations Career Workforce), across 3 shifts. Additional staff are currently progressing through training and education to achieve Paramedic certification. The District has provided Advanced Life Support (ALS) level care and transport ambulance services for residents since 2018, and is the largest fire-based EMS transport agency within Gallatin County. Prior to this service, residents would have to await an ambulance from a private EMS transport company located in Bozeman.