HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Support EJFR CARES p Coiv
N� ssr Board of County Commissioners
��w¢_ C°4,o� 1820 Jefferson Street
0 4, : PO Box 1220
i Port Townsend, WA 98368
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,iS — `O~ Kate Dean,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3
III N G
April 8, 2024
Bret Black, Fire Chief
East Jefferson Fire Rescue 24 Seton Road
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Dear Chief Black,
The Jefferson County Commissioners are writing to endorse EJFR's FIRE CARES Program as it
seeks additional AWC funding for sustainability into its second year of service, 2023 through
2024 serving East Jefferson County. Based on the response to this co-responder pilot program
thus far, there is notable demand for expanded capacity to successfully perform its impactful
work. A rural, remote, and services sparse area, Jefferson County has critical need for access to
and delivery of healthcare for our older population who often rely on our 911 system for non-
emergent needs. The gaps being filled by FIRE CARES include direct in-home support,
linkages to mental health and substance use services, as well as medical/mobility equipment
resources, to name a few. Reducing non-emergent demand on our 911 system serves everyone.
FIRE CARES has built an exemplary team of care providers in a very short time. They have
amplified their unique service throughout our community with effective media presence,
participating in community discussions about safety, and partnering with local agencies across a
broad spectrum of service provisions. This effort has rooted the FIRE CARES program within
our community in a meaningful and reliable way.
Jefferson County's mission is to protect and improve the wellbeing of all Jefferson County
residents by promoting safe, healthy communities and environments. We do this by centering
access and equity in the provision of healthcare services countywide. We are better able to
fulfill our public health mission through strong collaboration with our community partners.
We support EJFR's request for continued funding of the FIRE CARES program. EJFR is a
trusted partner for our county's health and safety needs, and uniquely attuned to our large aging
population.
Sincerely, i
Kate Dean, Chair, Dist. No. 1 Heidi Eisenhour, Dist.No. 2 Greg Brotherton, Dist. No. 3
Phone (360) 385-9100 Fax (360) 385-9382 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us