1. What will the levy fund and how much will it cost?
The proposed levy will generate $229 million over nine years to improve and upgrade the overall fire and emergency response system in Seattle. There are four categories of improvements in the plan: neighborhood stations; support facilities; emergency preparedness; and marine. It will cost the owner of a median-valued (middle) Seattle home approximately $100 a year for nine years.

Neighborhood Stations
Thirty-two of 33 of Seattle's fire stations will be retrofitted to withstand severe earthquakes. One is already seismically retrofitted. Every fire station will also be outfitted with systems to decontaminate equipment and people from chemical, biological or other hazardous agents. Older stations will be renovated so they are able to house modern firefighting and emergency vehicles and equipment. New fire stations will be built to replace aging stations in West Seattle, Ravenna/Bryant, Lake City and the Central District.

Support Facilities
A new command center will be built to improve the Department's coordination and response to fires and emergencies throughout the city. The new facility will be located in a seismically safe area to enable fire and medical response to continue during earthquakes or other disasters.

A new fire training center will be constructed to replace the small existing fire station built in 1922, that serves as the training facility for the whole Department. The new center will provide fire, emergency and disaster response training for firefighters and recruits. The new facility will enable the Department to consolidate all of its major training programs at one location in Seattle, saving time and resources now spent on traveling to training facilities outside of the city.

Emergency Preparedness
A new emergency operations center (EOC) will be located on the same site as the command center. The EOC will be able to withstand severe earthquakes and other disasters so the Fire Department and emergency services can continue operating and protecting citizens during major crises.

Special hydrants will be placed at reservoirs, lakes and on Puget Sound to provide water for firefighting in the event the City's water system is damaged during an earthquake.

Red Cross caches of emergency medical and shelter supplies will be placed in strategic locations throughout the city. The caches will ensure that areas of the city that may be isolated during an earthquake or disaster have supplies. Portable generators will also be distributed to shelters to provide emergency power.

Marine Fire Response
A new fire boat will be purchased to replace an existing boat to protect Elliott Bay, the central waterfront, boats and marinas on the saltwater side of the Ballard Locks. The existing fireboat Chief Seattle will be upgraded and moved to Fisherman's Terminal to protect businesses, homes, boats and marinas on the freshwater side of the Locks.

2. Why is so much being proposed all at once?
The Seattle Fire Department has faced a number of challenges over the past few years, such as the Nisqually Earthquake, hazardous material spills, marina fires and the threat of terrorist attacks. Although the Department has performed its duties exceptionally well, it operates from facilities that are 30 to 85 years old. An investment in our fire, emergency and disaster response systems and facilities will prepare our city for future emergencies and disasters.

The levy will provide funding to make fire stations seismically sound, improve coordination and communications on a daily basis and during disasters, enhance firefighter training programs, and provide adequate water-based fire and emergency response on both sides of the Ballard Locks.

The federal government has also mandated certain changes and upgrades for fire stations in response to potential terrorist acts. The levy will provide funds to meet the new federal guidelines for homeland security.

3. How much will this cost me and when can we expect the next levy?
The proposed levy would cost the median Seattle homeowner approximately $100 a year for nine years. The City estimates that once the repairs and renovations are complete, the facilities can be maintained for at least 25 years without another levy.

4. Have the fire stations been properly maintained over the years?
Seattle's fire stations were constructed between 1918 and 1974, with most built before the Korean War. The City has done a great job of maintaining the stations over the years, but like all buildings, they eventually need to be repaired and renovated if they are to keep pace with new demands and modern equipment. For example, many fire stations are outfitted with doors that are too narrow for modern fire engines and ladder trucks.

All of the City's fire stations are seismically vulnerable, and no amount of basic maintenance can change that. We need to retrofit all of our fire stations if we want to keep them standing and operational in the event of another major earthquake.

5. What will happen to the historic stations once they aren't in use?
The City is proud that many of its fire stations are historic structures that add to the character of neighborhoods throughout the city. Due to limited area for expansion and other construction challenges, the City will be closing four historic fire stations and replacing them with brand new stations nearby with this levy. The department is working with the City Council and historic preservation office so that these historic stations will be appropriately preserved and maintained by future owners.

6. Where will the new facilities be located?
The City is building 13 new fire stations; nine will be built at existing locations and four will be built at new locations. The City is still evaluating locations for the four new stations. The goal is to locate the new stations in Ravenna/Bryant, Lake City and the Central District close to the existing stations. The new West Seattle station will be located further south to improve response times in the extreme southwest areas of the city.

7. Where will firefighters go while the stations are being rebuilt?
The fire department is committed to providing the same level of service to all neighborhoods during construction and renovation of the fire stations. In some cases, firefighters will remain in their station during construction work, while others will be relocated to temporary facilities near their existing stations. The department will notify neighborhoods if their station will be temporarily relocated.

8. Why is a new training center needed?
Seattle is the only major city in the region without a modern fire training facility. The City's fire training facility was built in 1922, and it is nearing the end of its useful life. Today's firefighters face new challenges ranging from hazardous material spills to terrorist attacks, and it is important they have a proper training facility to learn how to best protect citizens.

9. What will happen to the fireboat Alki?
The 76 year old Alki will remain in service until a new fireboat for Elliott Bay is built and the fireboat Chief Seattle is refurbished to take the Alki's place at Fisherman's Terminal. Once that happens, the City will make a decision regarding the Alki.

11. What will happen if we have a major disaster before the emergency facilities are improved?
The goal is to complete the construction and renovation projects before another major disaster strikes the city, but unfortunately, we can't predict earthquakes, fires and other crises. If a disaster should happen before the projects are finished, Seattle firefighters will respond with the equipment available and work hard to serve and protect citizens in their time of need.

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