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CUSHMAN RIDGE FIRE PROTECTION & EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE

Answers To Your Questions

HOW DO I KNOW IF I LIVE IN THE AREA INCLUDED IN THE PETITION FOR ANNEXATION?

If you own property that is included in the blue outlined area on the map located at the bottom of this page, you are included in the proposed area of annexation.  The legal description is as follows:

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The Annexation into Mason County Fire Protection District 16, DBA West Mason Fire, shall include all properties in the following boundary:

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Beginning at the NE corner of Section 19, Township 23N, Range 4W, W.M, thence 9 miles South to the NE corner of Section 6, Township 21N, Range 4W, W.M., Thence 6 miles to the East to the NE corner of Section 6, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, WM, Thence South 3 miles to the SW corner of Section 18, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, W.M., Thence East 5.5 miles to the SE of the SE corner of Section 13, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, W.M., Thence North 1 mile to NE corner of the NE corner of Section 13, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, W.M., Thence West 2.5 miles to the SW corner of Section 10, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, W.M., thence North 1 Mile to the NW Corner of Section 10, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, W.M., Thence East 1.5 miles to the SE Corner of the SW Corner of Section 2, Township 21 N, Range 5W, W.M., Thence N .5 Mile to the NE Corner of the SW Corner of Section 2, Township 21 N, Range 5W, W.M., Thence 1.5 Miles to the East to NE corner of the SE corner of Section 1, Township 21 N, Range 5 W, W.M., Thence .5 Miles South to the SW corner of Section 6, Township 21 N, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence East 3 miles to the SE Corner of Section 4, Township 21 N, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence North 4 miles to the NE Corner of Section 21, Township 22 N, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence 1 Mile West to the NW Corner of Section 21, Township 22, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence North to the NE Corner of Section 17, Township 22 N, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence West to the Northwest Corner of Section 17, Township 22, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence North 4 miles to the NE Corner of Section 30, Township 23 N, Range 4 W, W.M., Thence W by NW 1.5 miles to the NE corner of Section 19, Township 23 N, Range 4 W, W.M.,

WHO RESPONDS TO US WHEN WE CALL 911?

When you call 911 for a fire or medical emergency, West Mason Fire is dispatched for primary response as the closest district with direct access to the area.  Responders from West Mason Fire may request additional  resources from neighboring districts or the Department of Natural Resources as needed for the call.

WHERE IS THE CLOSEST FIRE STATION LOCATED?

Geographically, the closest fire district is Lake Cushman Fire, District 18.  However, they do not have direct road access to this area.  The closest district with direct access to the proposed area of annexation is West Mason Fire, who covers the areas of Skokomish Valley, Brockdale/McReavy, Dayton, and Shelton Valley.  The closest fire station to the access road is station 9-1, located on Skokomish Valley Road.

IF YOU ALREADY RESPOND AS THE CLOSEST UNITS, WHY DO WE NEED DEDICATED FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES?

The reason for the annexation is to provide fire protection and medical response to an area that currently has none. While West Mason Fire is ethically bound to respond to any emergencies in this area we would be doing this with no legal protection, or compensation. This would be a gifting of funds and is not allowed. It would also be unfair to the people who live within the current boundaries of West Mason Fire, who pay taxes for our services.

WHAT EFFECT DOES AN ANNEXATION HAVE ON MY PROPERTY TAXES?

West Mason Fire currently collects a regular property tax levy rate of $0.98 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.  Voters approved a levy lid lift in April 2020, restoring the regular property tax levy rate to $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, effective in 2021.

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Fire protection districts are also eligible for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy.  West Mason Fire is requesting voters approve a permanent $0.50 per $1000 of assessed valuation to fund paid EMS responders.  This will be on the August 2020 ballot.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ANNEXATION?

You will receive documents in the mail that include the petition for annexation paperwork and instructions for how to complete it.  If 60% of the property owners agree to the annexation, it will be filed with the county and effective pursuant to Chapter 52.04 RCW, located here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=52.04

I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY PAPERWORK OR I RECEIVED MY PAPERWORK BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING MAY HAVE BEEN MISSING.  HOW CAN I RECEIVE THE MISSING DOCUMENTS?

If you feel you should have received paperwork for the annexation and haven't, or if you received it but feel it may be missing something, please contact Fire Chief Matthew Welander or District Secretary Christine Johnson at (360) 426-7343.

I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.  WHO SHOULD I TALK TO?

If you have additional questions, please reach out to us.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have.  Members of West Mason Fire are holding open office hours in person or via Zoom on the last 3 Saturdays in July (see the corresponding event links on the home page of this website), and Fire Commissioner meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.

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You may also see us driving through the area or working outside at Station 9-1 on your way to your property - feel free to stop and say hello. We enjoy getting to know the people we are committed to serving and giving you a chance to get to know us and what we do.

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