The El Dorado County Emergency Preparedness, Healthcare Access and Wildfire Prevention Initiative FAQ
El Dorado Ready is a partnership of local firefighters, healthcare leaders, paramedics, public safety leaders, business leaders and others working to keep the residents and communities of El Dorado County safe and healthy. We must do more to prepare for emergencies by ensuring rapid 9-1-1 emergency response, preserving access to emergency rooms and quality healthcare services, and reducing the risk of wildfires in our communities.
In El Dorado County, lifesaving emergency preparedness and response is provided by an integrated and inseparable continuum of services that starts with the volunteers and professionals who help plan for, mitigate and prevent disasters, continues with the firefighters and paramedics who respond to emergencies and transport patients to local emergency rooms which provide life-saving medical care in emergencies, enabling patients to live healthy and productive lives. Approximately 80% of 9-1-1 emergency calls in El Dorado County are for medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and accidents that require rapid response and often require patients to be transported to the nearest hospital emergency room.
By law, all hospitals must meet stringent building safety standards by 2030 – just a few years from now. Any hospitals that do not meet these standards by the deadline may be forced to close. With aging facilities dating back to its founding in 1959, some of Marshall’s core facilities do not meet the standards required by law and could be forced to close.
Emergency medical care and medical technologies are advancing rapidly, and local doctors, nurses, specialists, paramedics, and firefighters need access to the latest advances in medicine and treatments for heart attacks, strokes, injuries, cancer, and other diseases.
Local fire departments and protection districts that provide rapid 9-1-1 emergency medical response and firefighting are underfunded and have experienced cuts. Without stable, locally-controlled funding to support local fire districts, rapid emergency response times will increase, endangering the health and safety of El Dorado County residents. In emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and accidents, seconds can be the difference between life and death. Preserving rapid 9-1-1 emergency response and quick access to the nearest emergency room and healthcare facility will save lives.
Wildfires are growing faster, deadlier, and more common. Reducing wildfire risk by removing fire hazards, providing early and reliable emergency fire alerts and communications, and planning fast and safe evacuation routes are more important than ever.
Many areas of El Dorado County can easily be cut-off from outside help during major fires, earthquakes, storms, or other disasters. Having local access to emergency medical care, an emergency room with reasonable wait times, medical clinics, and a full-service hospital is critical for residents to receive medical care during emergencies.
The leaders of El Dorado Ready have developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen El Dorado County’s emergency preparedness system, including rapid 9-1-1 emergency response, maintaining access to emergency medical care and developing a strong wildfire prevention program. To keep El Dorado County healthy and safe, a stable source of locally-controlled revenue is needed that will require voter approval in the form of a citizens’ initiative called the El Dorado County Emergency Preparedness, Healthcare Access and Wildfire Prevention Initiative.
If approved by a majority of El Dorado County voters, the initiative would increase the local sales tax rate paid by residents and visitors in El Dorado County by a modest 3/8¢ to provide stable, locally-controlled revenue exclusively for emergency preparedness by ensuring rapid 9-1-1 emergency response, preserving access to emergency rooms and quality healthcare services, and reducing the risk of wildfires in El Dorado County.
Yes. As a tourist destination and major transportation corridor, visitors to El Dorado County pay a significant portion of the local sales tax revenue collected. A 3/8¢ increase in the local sales tax rate will provide over $12 million annually in reliable, local revenue to prepare for emergencies while minimizing the cost to local residents.
No. All funds from this measure would be used and controlled locally for emergency preparedness, healthcare access, and wildfire prevention and suppression only. No funds from the measure could be taken away or redirected by the county, state, or federal governments.
To ensure funds from the initiative are used as promised, an independent oversight committee comprised of El Dorado County residents is required to oversee the use of funds and report their findings to the public.
El Dorado Ready must collect signatures from local voters to qualify for the ballot. The initiative is planned for the November 2026 General Election ballot.
With the growing threat of wildfire to properties in El Dorado County, homeowners and property insurance are becoming more expensive and difficult to secure. Investing in wildfire prevention and ensuring adequate numbers of firefighters are available to provide local fire protection will help stabilize the cost and availability of homeowners and property insurance for local residents and businesses.
To learn more or ask questions, email info@eldoradoready.org.