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‘We are stronger together’: If Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority vote fails, joint fire department will separate

Proposition 1 at stake in April 22 special election

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category icon Camas, Government, News, Public Safety, Washougal
Fire trucks stay dry inside Friday at Camas-Washougal Fire Department’s Station 42. Camas and Washougal voters on April 22 will decide the fate of the proposed Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Fire trucks stay dry inside Friday at Camas-Washougal Fire Department’s Station 42. Camas and Washougal voters on April 22 will decide the fate of the proposed Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Firefighter-paramedic Nate Barmore checks equipment inside an ambulance Friday at the Camas-Washougal Fire Department’s Station 42 in Camas. If approved by voters April 22, a new Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority would offer free ambulance transport services to residents. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Firefighter-paramedic Nate Barmore checks equipment inside an ambulance Friday at the Camas-Washougal Fire Department’s Station 42 in Camas. If approved by voters April 22, a new Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority would offer free ambulance transport services to residents. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Taylor Balkom/The Columbian (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Taylor Balkom/The Columbian (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Camas-Washougal Fire Chief Cliff Free has spent the past several months trying to help east Clark County residents understand what is at stake if Proposition 1, a measure asking voters to approve a new regional fire authority, fails to win voters’ approval in the April 22 special election.

If the proposition passes, the joint department would continue to provide fire services in a 20-square-mile area within the boundaries of Camas and Washougal and emergency medical services within a 90-square-mile area surrounding both cities’ borders.

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