Not long ago, a friend of mine suffered a massive heart attack. His friends and even the Newcastle Fire Protection District first-responders who worked tirelessly to save him didn’t think he would survive the ordeal.
Doctors later confirmed that without the quick response and emergency life-saving procedures administered by our local fire department, my friend would not be with us today.
Some years ago, a neighbor was in a horrible auto accident that trapped her in her car with serious injuries. Newcastle firefighters responded quickly, extricated her from the car, stabilized her and saved her life.
A friend’s elderly mother fell while in the shower and was rescued and stabilized by Newcastle firefighters before an ambulance even arrived on the scene.
Emergencies large and small are routine fare for Newcastle firefighters. Their actions often create the difference between life and death.
Because we have a local fire department, everyone in Newcastle has a chance of making it through a life-threatening emergency. It’s hard to imagine a local emergency with no local first-responders, but that’s what Newcastle’s future holds if Measure B fails.
Without money to build and operate a new firehouse, Newcastle will lose its local fire department and will need to rely on services from surrounding communities that are already overburdened and unlikely to be able to meet Newcastle’s needs.
Meanwhile, the economic costs of Measure B failing to pass would be significantly higher than the annual $146 per taxable parcel the fire district is asking voters to approve. If Measure B fails, homeowner’s insurance rates will go through the roof.
Erica Moore, a friend and neighbor, was told by her insurance agent that her annual homeowner’s insurance premiums would increase by $1,344 if the Newcastle Fire Protection District ceases to operate.
A vote against Measure B endangers our relatives, our friends and ourselves at great expense. The human and economic losses associated with a failure of our Newcastle Fire Department are painful and incalculable. A lost life cannot be recovered. Cherished photos, sweet mementos, lost pets cannot be replaced.
Please vote “Yes” on Measure B to opt for highly trained, professional firefighters responding to calls from a local fire station in Newcastle. Vote “Yes” to have quick responses to calls for help in medical emergencies. Vote “Yes” for fast responses to the summertime fires that plague our area of the foothills. Vote “Yes” for our residents, schools and businesses.
Vote “Yes” on Measure B to save both lives and money.
Michael Leydon is a member of the Newcastle Elementary School Board and the volunteer campaign coordinator for Yes on Measure B.

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To learn more
Visit www.Yes-on-Measure-B.com or call (916) 847-4632