The fire benefit charge failed once again for Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety in the Aug. 1 Primary. The current count shows it failed with 55 percent against the charge and about 45 percent for the charge.

Fire Chief Aaron Tyerman said he was surprised by the vote, but he does think the department got the word out this time.

“I think that between myself and the rest of the organization, the community was really informed,” Tyerman said.

Since the benefit charge failed, the department has had to change their staffing model, according to Tyerman.

As of Aug. 7, the minimum for number of firefighters on duty was reduced from 10 to seven. He said if anyone calls in sick, the department will have to close station 83.

This will increase response times and according to Tyerman.

“That (area) has already had an increased response time,” he said.

In the future, the department may look at merging with the Puget Sound Regional Fire Department or the Renton Regional Fire Department, depending on what is best for Maple Valley, Tyerman said.

Since Station 83 will only be closed when someone calls in sick or is on vacation, there will be no way to tell if or when the station will be closed.

The department has already had to dig into their savings to make ends meet, Tyerman said.

“Right now, everything we’re considering, (is) how do we take the money we have and make it go as far as possible,” he said.

According to Tyerman, other programs the department is considering stopping is the their volunteer program, education programs and other programs within the department that will not effect 911 calls in a negative way.

Tyerman said he just wants to do what is best for the community and is by no means upset with them for not voting in favor of the benefit charge.

“It’s not that they don’t support the fire department,” Tyerman said. “What they can’t support is an increase in their taxes.”

As chief, Tyerman said it is his job now to respect the wishes of the voters in this community.

Tyerman said when he talked to the public before the votes were in, a majority of them seemed to be in favor the benefit charge, but “as with any democratic process, it can go any way.”

The next step for the department is the levy lid lift that will be on the November ballot. Tyerman said this will restore some loss funding if it passes.

“We have run it several times in the past, but, not knowing if (it) will pass is why we’re doing what we’re doing today (budgeting),” Tyerman said.

The biggest thing right now is to stay on budget, he said.

According to Tyerman, there has been a lot of growth in Maple Valley and the department needs to make sure it can deliver critical emergency services when needed.

“Our goal is to make sure that when people pick up the phone, we’re there for people when they need us,” Tyerman said.

He said he wants to make sure the public knows he appreciates the votes.