Chester Fire has ceased all ambulance services, effective yesterday. The change has been the result of years of financial woes. This will also lead to the department, by the Chester Public Utility Board of Directors, decision to transition to a volunteer-run department by February 28th.
However, the fate of the department hangs on two ballot measures the Chester Community will vote on in a special election to be held on May 7th.
Voters will be asked to fund the department through a special 450 dollar per parcel tax or a 1500 dollar per parcel tax. This will determine whether the department remains volunteer-based, returns to a full-time paid staffed department, or ceases to exist at all.
The volunteer-run department has enough funds to sustain it through the next year.
In the meantime, Peninsula Fire will support the community by providing EMS transportation to nearby hospitals.
The CPUD board meets regularly once a month; agendas can be found online at ChesterPUD.org
