On Tuesday August 17th at the regularly scheduled board meeting held at Osage Beach Fire Station 1, the fire districts board members approved a ballot proposal.

The proposal asks the voters for a $0.30 per $100 of assessed valuation tax levy and general obligation bond of $0.14 per $100 of assessed valuation. The bond will expire after 20 years.

Financial Impact to Residents?

This means for a resident by combining both proposals it will increase yearly taxes by approximately $83.60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation or approximately $6.97 per month.

How does the fire district plan to use these funds?

Currently the Osage Beach Fire Protection employs Emergency Medical Technician Basics on all responding apparatus. Meaning, when you dial 911 the personnel you receive are well trained but limited in the practices in which they can do by the State of Missouri.

The first goal is to establish an EMS division within the fire district and begin hiring and training personnel to paramedic level. At this level of EMS responding personnel will be able to better diagnose and treat patients while awaiting for a responding ambulance for transport. Paramedics are allowed by law to perform more invasive procedures such as IV’s and advanced airway practices that allow for potentially life saving medicines to be given whereas EMT Basics cannot perform these practices.

The district plans to purchase 2 rapid response vehicles and ALS equipment. These vehicles will be utilized to respond a paramedic and EMT Basic to medical emergencies. These units are smaller and more maneuverable than the current rescue engines that respond currently. Also, these smaller apparatus will lower the wear and tear on the larger more expensive equipment and increase its lifespan by limiting its use.

By purchasing these 2 rapid response vehicles the fire district will be able to respond to up to 4 simultaneous calls whereas currently only 2. The rapid response vehicles will respond first to medical calls leaving the rescue engines in service with a crew available in the event a fire, vehicle accident, or other emergency that requires heavy equipment is dispatched. There will be one rapid response unit at both fire stations allowing coverage for both sides of the district.

The next item of attention is to replace the current fire station 1. Currently, fire station 1 is located at 1170 Bluff Drive is 35 years old. At the time it was built it was strategically to respond to emergencies but as the area and town grows the needs of the district do as well. Currently, any emergency in the Hyvee/Kaiser area requires the responding apparatus to make a right and perform a U-Turn at the current Lake Art building, increasing response time during emergencies. The current fire station was built prior to the installation of new highway 54. The new station would be built strategically to be able to respond efficiently in both directions as well as large enough to house the new EMS division and extra personnel being hired.

Lastly, the fire district plans to replace 2 brush apparatus. Currently, the brush apparatus are over 20 years old and due for replacement.

“Our Family, Protecting Your Family, Because We Care”