This week's meeting will include a presentation by Rand Southam on how our Club can leverage the power of AI and the internet to improve some of the functions of the events and activities we do as a Club.
This will be President Brian's last official meeting as President. Let's give him send off worthy of our Club.
There won't be an official meeting next week as it is a holiday, but if you are so inclined, several members will be gathering at The Buzz Inn about 7:30 am for breakfast. AND, the following week--July 10th--the meeting will definitely be at The Buzz Inn as is our tradition on Aquafest Weekend. From there we go across the street to set up for something Berry Different!
The link to our YouTube Channel is now available on our website and our weekly bulletins. You can view recent online meetings. If you watch any of them, you can count it as a makeup. Just let our Co-Secretary, Christine Egelstad know.
Our program on Friday, June 19th was Deputy Chief Michael McConnell who gave our Club an update on the Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue service. SRFR was formed through strategic partnership with District 7 (Clearview/Maltby), SCFPD #3 (Monroe) and Lake Stevens Fire. Their mission is compassionate care, excellence and neighbor-to-neighbor engagement, with a strong emphasis on hometown and community connection.
SRFR recent;y achieved international accreditation, it is the only accredited agency in Snohomish County and one of nine in Washington State. Organizational design reduces duplication and improves coordination, response relability, and patient outcomes.
Conclusion: SRFR positions itself as a regional, accredited, community-focused agency leveraging economy of scale. Their record shows 98% unit availability for request within jurisdiction. Approximately, 13,000 responses and 6,100 transports across regional hospitals. They have a 95% station reliability across first-due areas, (eg. Stations 81, 82 & 83). Investment in an additional ambulance in Monroe, increased local reliability from 90% to 95%.
On the August 4th ballot will be a EMS Levy Lid Lift. SRFR is a junior taxing district: funds to directly to fire/EMS under a seven-commissioner board. Washington's 1% annual revenue growth cap (Initiative 747) causes EMS levy rates to decline over time without voter-approved restoration. The EMS levy approved at $0.50 per $1,000 in 2017 has drifted to $0.26 per $1,000. The August ballot seeks to restore the EMS levy to $0.50 per $1,000 starting January 1, 2027 with future annual adjustments by CPI for 1% for 6 years to maintain stability.
Estimated cost example increases to about $375/year for a $750,000 home (EMS portion) up from $195/year; the fire levy is trending down balancing overall tax impact. EMS comprises 80% of call volume; paramedic staffing is a major pressure amid training and hiring constraints. This is an important levy lid lift that the community needs to endorse and support.
AquaFest-57 years of Lake Stevens pride. One of the Pacific Northwest's largest summer waterfront festivals. Three days of parades, carnival, live music, fireworks, family fun and strawberry shortcake.
Interact is a service club for youth ages 14-18. The name is a combination of the words international and action. We join Clubs in over 120 countries around the world. The global youth network is dedicated to community and international service. Every Interact Club project, great or small, has a lasting impact on society worldwide.
Club Meetings are held at Lake Stevens High School. Contact Mrs. Odegaard for more information!
Our regular Rotary Club Meetings are at the Lake Stevens School District Educational Service Center lower level Community Room located at 12309 22nd St NE. We start at 7:30 am. Click here for the online link. There will not be any breakfast served. However, coffee will be available. Visitors are always welcome.
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