Editor,

I want to thank our fire commissioners at Central Whidbey Island Fire &Rescue for agreeing to place a bond on the November election ballot.

If approved by voters, the bond would renovate the station on Race Road and replace three fire engines.

I am a firefighter who works at Station 53 on Race Road. The facility has been well-maintained, but it needs more space.

There are no sleeping quarters in the station currently so it takes us longer to respond to emergency calls.

The station also needs improvements for firefighter health and safety, such as systems to remove diesel fumes, decontamination units and storage for our bunker gear.

There is an increase in cancer-related deaths in firefighters because of our exposure to hazardous materials from emergencies and on our protective clothing.

We appreciate our fire commissioners trying to solve these problems, take care of emergency personnel and better serve our community.

John Lloyd

Greenbank