Our Stance on Measure O
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, known as Metro Fire, is one of California's largest fire agencies. We serve over 720,000 people across a 359 square mile area, including unincorporated Sacramento County, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and part of Placer County. With 41 stations in 23 communities, we respond to over 100,000 emergencies annually.
The Challenge We Face
In recent years, Metro Fire has experienced significant challenges:
Emergency calls have increased by 30% for medical emergencies and 40% for fire emergencies over the last decade.
More than half of our fire stations are over 50 years old and no longer meet modern standards.
73% of our fire engines will reach the end of their useful lifespans in the next few years.
Currently, 4 out of 10 medical calls in our jurisdiction have a 20+ minute response time.
These issues strain our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, potentially putting lives and property at risk.
Introducing Measure O
To address these critical needs, the Metro Fire Board of Directors has placed Measure O, a $415 million Fire & Emergency Response Bond Measure, on the November 2024 ballot.
If approved, Measure O would provide locally controlled funding to:
Replace outdated and deteriorating lifesaving equipment
Improve aging fire stations to meet current work safety conditions
Reduce firefighters' exposure to cancer-causing air pollution
Equip stations to respond more rapidly to simultaneous medical and fire emergencies
Provide additional emergency response vehicles and equipment
Construct new stations in high-population areas to reduce response times
Support rural fire protection and emergency medical response services
Attract and retain qualified professional firefighters and paramedics
Cost and Accountability
Measure O would cost property owners $19 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value). For the typical property taxpayer, this amounts to about $78 per year or $6.50 per month.
The measure includes strict fiscal accountability requirements:
A detailed project list outlining the exact use of funds
Public disclosure of all spending
Independent annual financial and performance audits
An independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to review fund use
Legal guarantee that all funds stay local and cannot be taken by the State
Why Measure O Matters
Rapid response times can mean the difference between life and death.
Brain deterioration starts 4-6 minutes after a person stops breathing, and fires double in size every minute. By addressing our aging infrastructure and equipment needs, Measure O aims to:
Maintain 911 fire and emergency medical response times
Sustain local fire protection
Enhance natural disaster response and wildfire prevention capabilities
Paid for by Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 Issue Political Action Committee (non-profit 501c5) Filer #: 1227553