We urge all voters to decisively REJECT Measure W for the following critical reasons:
- **Defunds Emergency Services:** Measure W proposes a dangerous reduction in funding, slashing $46.5 million from Emergency Medical and Fire Protection services. This represents a staggering 20% cut from the County’s fire-fighting budget, directly targeting vital life-saving services rather than unnecessary expenditures.
- **Closure of Fire Stations:** The implementation of Measure W would lead to the shutdown of up to 15 local fire stations, severely impacting the safety of residents in desert and mountain areas, as well as those in the cities of San Bernardino, Upland, Needles, and Twentynine Palms.
- **Delayed Paramedic Response:** The severe budget cuts mandated by Measure W would force paramedics to travel longer distances to reach emergencies, causing critical delays in medical response times and putting our families at increased risk.
- **Increased Fire Insurance Rates:** By diminishing fire protection services, Measure W will inevitably lead to a significant rise in fire insurance premiums, negating any minor savings from the elimination of the fire service tax. Many residents may face the cancellation of their fire insurance coverage, while renters could see higher monthly rents as landlords pass on their increased insurance costs.
Measure W is a deceptive proposal that promises false savings at the expense of our community’s safety and well-being. It will lead to higher costs for residents through increased insurance rates and jeopardize the safety of you and your family.
Your Firefighters and Paramedics strongly advise against this extreme measure, which threatens to close local fire stations and drastically reduce essential fire protection and emergency services.
We urge you to VOTE NO on Measure W. Protect our community, our safety, and our future.