Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue officials say additional staffing is needed to keep up with higher call volumes. Calls for CKFR have been on the rise – increasing 35% in the last five years. In 2022, the district responded to 11,062 calls, of which 67% were for emergency medical services. Revenue, however, is not keeping up with the demand for and costs to provide such services. CKFR is considering asking voters to reset the levy rate from $1.34 to $1.50. The 16 cents per $1,000 increase would cost the owner of a $500,000 home (considered average for the area) an additional $80 per year or $6.67 per month. “We want to be transparent with our community,” fire chief Jason Christian said. “We require additional emergency personnel to respond to higher call volumes and maintain the level and quality of our emergency response.”