Many Amador County residents have heard about the county-wide half cent sales tax increase that will be on the November ballot. Measure M, which is sponsored by the Amador Fire Protection Authority, or AFPA, would provide an estimated 2.4 million dollars to “allow for 24/7 coverage in existing fire stations across Amador County.” Two years ago, a similar measure, Measure L, almost passed with 62% of the required two-thirds vote. Proponents of this year’s measure are hoping it will get the green light, as funding for fire personnel is desperately needed. Jackson Fire Chief Mark Morton and Jackson City Manager Mike Daly will be giving a presentation on the measure at various locations throughout the county, as they did at Monday night’s Jackson City Council meeting. Morton and Daly dispelled some myths with their presentation, including the misconception that Amador County’s fire fighters are full-time employees. “ALL of the fire personnel in this county are volunteer,” says Morton.
“They all have day jobs, and are just trying to put food on the table.” Morton also explained that most fire personnel respond to calls during their work hours. “Most of us have flexible jobs. Some actually take vacation time in order to (fulfill their duties as a firefighter),” explained Morton. In addition to the dire need for paid personnel, Morton noted that since 2001, call volume has increased by 44.4 percent, with the majority being medical aid calls. If this measure passes, the AFPA is looking at reorganizing the structure of Amador’s fire departments. The Amador Fire Protection District, or AFPD, which covers most of the unincorporated areas of the county, and the Jackson and Sutter Creek Fire Departments are looking at joining together and managing four fire houses: Jackson, Sutter Creek, one Upcountry station, and the newer Plymouth station. Each station would have a fire captain, with one “Operations Chief” overseeing all four. The AFPA has also been doing some research on how the Measure M funding would be spent. If you’d like to attend the next presentation to learn more about Measure M, it will be at the ACRA Board meeting on September 10th at 2PM at 810 Court Street, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers.
Many Amador County residents have heard about the county-wide half cent sales tax increase that will be on the November ballot. Measure M, which is sponsored by the Amador Fire Protection Authority, or AFPA, would provide an estimated 2.4 million dollars to “allow for 24/7 coverage in existing fire stations across Amador County.” Two years ago, a similar measure, Measure L, almost passed with 62% of the required two-thirds vote. Proponents of this year’s measure are hoping it will get the green light, as funding for fire personnel is desperately needed. Jackson Fire Chief Mark Morton and Jackson City Manager Mike Daly will be giving a presentation on the measure at various locations throughout the county, as they did at Monday night’s Jackson City Council meeting. Morton and Daly dispelled some myths with their presentation, including the misconception that Amador County’s fire fighters are full-time employees. “ALL of the fire personnel in this county are volunteer,” says Morton.
“They all have day jobs, and are just trying to put food on the table.” Morton also explained that most fire personnel respond to calls during their work hours. “Most of us have flexible jobs. Some actually take vacation time in order to (fulfill their duties as a firefighter),” explained Morton. In addition to the dire need for paid personnel, Morton noted that since 2001, call volume has increased by 44.4 percent, with the majority being medical aid calls. If this measure passes, the AFPA is looking at reorganizing the structure of Amador’s fire departments. The Amador Fire Protection District, or AFPD, which covers most of the unincorporated areas of the county, and the Jackson and Sutter Creek Fire Departments are looking at joining together and managing four fire houses: Jackson, Sutter Creek, one Upcountry station, and the newer Plymouth station. Each station would have a fire captain, with one “Operations Chief” overseeing all four. The AFPA has also been doing some research on how the Measure M funding would be spent. If you’d like to attend the next presentation to learn more about Measure M, it will be at the ACRA Board meeting on September 10th at 2PM at 810 Court Street, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers.
