Fire & Emergency Services Levy
4.65-mill Renewal Levy | 5-year term
Residents of Washington Township and Centerville
Issue 5 | May 2 Ballot
This webpage is for information only and is not intended to support or oppose the proposed levy
Levy Overview
- Renews an expiring 4.65-mill levy
- Does not raise taxes, and in some cases may reduce tax obligation
Levy Revenue
- Generates $8.51 million annually
- Accounts for over half of the fire department operating budget
- Effectively funds the department through 2028
Who Votes
- All Washington Township residents, including those in the City of Centerville
What the Levy Costs
Homeowners will pay $115 annually for every $100,000 of assessed value, the same as last year and slightly less than five years ago when the previous levy was passed. At that time, residents paid $132 per $100,000. Homeowners should base cost estimations on the current valuation.
The Washington Township Fire Department
- Is accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. They are the only department in the Miami Valley and one of just ten across Ohio to be accredited.
- Protects the second largest population in the county
- Was awarded the 2021-2022 Ohio Fire Department of the Year Award from the State Fire Marshal.
- Holds a Class 2 rating from the Insurance Service Office, placing them in the top five percent of fire departments throughout the country.
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Satisfaction Levels
The Fire Department invites people who receive emergency services to complete a survey. Of those who responded in 2022, 94% reported they were “very satisfied” with services.
Serving the Community
WT Fire Department reaches out to the community in ways beyond basic emergency services. Last year, community attendance at safety education presentations totaled nearly 24,000. More than 430 people were trained in CPR. Other initiatives include:
Automated External Defibrillators – AEDs are maintained in 35 public locations such as government offices, libraries, schools, and churches.
Safety Seat Checks – The department provided 400 free child safety seat checks last year in an effort to lower injuries and fatalities.
Community Notification – Twelve tornado sirens provide outdoor warning for weather-related emergencies. Emergency notification is also provided by CodeRED, a high-speed messaging system.
Safety Education – Emergency drills, demonstrations, and
emergency-preparedness presentations are made to businesses and schools.
Safetyville Square – Children receive safety training presented with Evening Optimist Club and law enforcement.
Knox Boxes – These secure boxes are available to residents who would like fire and EMS personnel to enter their home in an emergency.
Open Houses & Cruise In to the Ice Cream Social – Both events offer an entertaining way to learn about the fire service .jpg)
and pick up tips on fire safety. Approximately 1,200 people attended the fire open houses last year and nearly 4,000 attended the Cruise-In to the Ice Cream Social.
Project Lifesaver – Offers peace of mind for family members by using state-of-the-art technology to track the location of individuals with dementia, Alzheimer's, or cognitive conditions who may have wandered from home.
The Cost of Services
Associated costs, not all costs
Cost to Outfit One Firefighter/Paramedic
Includes gear such as a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for $7,000, protective coat, pants, helmet, gloves, and boots for $4,400.
Cost for One Medic
Includes $365,000 for the vehicle and $160,700 for equipment and supplies including a cardiac monitor, Lucas CPR device, communications and reporting equipment, and more. It costs another $660,000 to staff the medic 24/7 with two paramedics/firefighters.
Cost for One Engine
Includes $700,000 for the vehicle, $27,000 for the fire hose, and over $75,000 for equipment and supplies.
It costs another $1,035,000 to staff the engine 24/7 with two firefighters and one lieutenant.