West Overland EMS and Fire Protection District provides premier EMS, fire and rescue services to portions of St. Ann, Creve Coeur, Bridgeton and unincorporated St. Louis County. West Overland maintains one engine house with one firetruck and one Advanced Life Support transporting ambulance. There are 20 full time response personnel, working in three 48-hour shifts, who are all trained to the Paramedic/Firefighter level. West Overland also has two part-time personnel responsible for Fire Prevention and administrative duties. A 3-person elected Board of Directors provides financial and legal oversite of the fire district.
West Overland continues to expand our services. West Overland provides:
- High quality patient emergency care
- Emergency medical transport
- Residential and Commercial Fire Response
- Mutual Aid response to surrounding districts
- All-hazard mitigation
- Vehicle rescue
- Water rescue
- Technical Rescue
- Hazardous Materials
- Natural disaster
- Active shooter/killer
- Pandemic response
- Community wellness
- Public relations
- Fire Prevention
- Public Education
West Overland EMS and Fire Protection District has placed Proposition F on the April 4, 2023 spring election ballot. Prop F addresses the Future of our fire department.
--As an example, a residence with a market value of $100,000 would be assessed at 19%, which would place its assessed value at $19,000
--Using the example above if the assessed value is $19,000 and the levy is $.50 per $100 value assessed.
--The tax bill would be $95 (19000/100 = 190 x .50 = $95)
--Divided by 12 months would equal $7.92 per month
The ballot reads as follows:
Shall the Board of Directors of the West Overland EMS and Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than fifty cents per one hundred dollars assessed valuation to provide funds for the support of the District?
YES
NO
West Overland Board of Directors, Administration and Firefighters have been working diligently to remain fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. Cost saving measures have included:
- Securing local, state and federal grants
- Competitive bidding for insurance and services
- Postponement of capital projects
- Extending the service life apparatus
- Extending the service life of personal protective equipment
West Overland EMS and Fire Protection District has not seen a tax rate increase to its operating budget since 2006. That is seventeen years of cost cutting and maintaining our budget without sacrifice to our taxpayers. West Overland has reduced its overall tax rate for several years. Our current rate is one of the lowest in the area.
Current tax revenues will not support the expanding needs of the Fire District. The Missouri Handcock Amendment has handcuffed our ability to maintain a viable tax rate. Call volume continues to increase. According to our updated reporting, in 2014 the District responded to 1409 calls. Last year the District responded to 2135 calls This demonstrates a volume increase of 66% in less than 10 years. This volume is unsustainable with our current budget. We are seeking your help to allow the West Overland EMS and Fire Protection District to continue providing a level of service and competence that our taxpayers expect. Together, we can build a better service and a safer community!
For any questions regarding Proposition F and the Future of West Overland, please call Fire Chief Greg Vogel at 314-428-6069.
