I urge Fountain Hills residents to vote for the proposed tax change because it is needed to support the fire department and our first responders.

I am one of some 30-plus members of the Fountain Hills Crisis Team. We are a group of caring volunteers, on call 24/7/365. Hopefully, you will not need us, the fire department or first responders. But, if you do, we are here to serve and support you.

When a 911 call comes into the fire department, it responds to a fire or life-threatening situation. After the professionals assess, intervene and provide first aid, they call the Fountain Hills Crisis Team to follow up and support the family and/or the patient. Two members of the Crisis Team, who are on call, respond while the fire department leaves to be ready for another emergency.

The Fountain Hills Crisis Team provides support by giving TLC, hugs, holding hands and providing guidance in case of fire, hospitalization or death. We give information and guidance on what to do next. We provide information on cleanup and temporary shelter. We transport family members to hospitals and stay until we are no longer needed.

Fountain Hills Crisis Team is a very small part of 800 volunteers under the competent and compassionate leadership of town employee Heather Ware at City Hall. All of these volunteers give freely of their time and compassion to support the paid professionals.

The fire department and first responders are an insurance policy. We hope to never need them but, if we do, they will enable us to survive the crisis in our lives. The FHCT knows the value of the fire department to the Fountain Hills community. As a member of the team, I urge you to support them by voting for the tax levy.