As Californians, there are a few natural phenomena we know we have to prepare for, and at the top of that list are earthquakes and wildfires.

A measure on the Nov. 5 ballot asks Los Angeles County taxpayers to decide whether they are willing to pay a bit more to prepare for and fight the latter. It’s Measure E, and if passed it would require county residents to pay more on parcel taxes for some improvements on their property.

Understanding Measure E

The measure calls for a 6-cent-per-square-foot increase on certain property projects and improvements. The additional revenue would be used to help provide fire and paramedic emergency services, training and new equipment. To be approved, the measure needs to pass by a simple majority. The Measure E parcel tax is expected to bring in $152 million a year by levying the 6-cents-per-square-foot on certain parcel improvements, such as adding onto a home. (A parcel tax is a type of property tax that is assessed based on characteristics of a unit of property, not the total value of the property.)

Official ballot title on the November ballot: Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County Emergency Response and Infrastructure Ordinance.

How we got here

Measure E started as a signature-gathering effort, led by a local firefighters’ union, to qualify an initiative for the ballot that would secure more funding for the county Fire Department.

“We have failing engines, failing infrastructure in our stations, and outdated equipment,” Los Angeles County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014 wrote in a June 7 update to its members. “We cannot stress enough that political action is the most important thing we do as a union to safeguard our members. This measure is critical to the future of the Department and the future security of our members and their families.”

The county Board of Supervisors voted later to place the measure on the November ballot.

How it would work

The measure is expected to bring the Los Angeles County Fire Department $152 million annually, and is limited to a 2% annual adjustment, "exempting low-income seniors."

The goal is to fund more resources for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which provides fire and medical services in 59 of 88 cities (plus the city of La Habra in Orange County) and the unincorporated areas of L.A. County. The Los Angeles County Fire Department is responsible for protecting the lives and property more than four million residents living in 1.25 million housing units.

The history behind it

The department is considered a special district within the county government and does not receive money from the general fund. Instead, it pays for fire suppression and emergency medical services through a special tax, approved by voters in 1997, that’s tied to Angelenos’ annual property taxes.

The Fire Department has a budget of $1.6 billion, but the fire chief noted at a Board of Supervisors meeting in July that there was a “projected structural deficit” of $18 million. He and others have stressed that the current funding model has not kept up with the department’s needs.

“The department has significant need when it comes to personnel training, equipment and the need to also expand our paramedic services in the communities that we serve,” Chief Anthony Marrone said at the July meeting.

“Over the last 15 years, we have experienced a 45% increase in the number of emergency medical service calls to the fire district,” he continued. “However, we have not kept up with the expansion of our paramedic services in our hometown fire stations that are located throughout the district in the unincorporated areas.

“So additional revenue is desperately needed by the fire district.”

Where would the money go?

County authorities have said the Fire Department needs to replace old equipment, including fire engines and other vehicles that have been in service for decades, and an outdated 911 communications system that is incompatible with new technology.

Other needs include:

• A way for paramedics to be able to communicate directly with emergency rooms.
• GPS mapping to allow firefighters to better coordinate responses
• Thermal image cameras used to find and rescue people who are particularly vulnerable — children, elderly people and people with disabilities — during emergency situations, like fires and earthquakes. 

What people who support it:

• The Los Angeles County Democratic Party
• The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles
• California Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez

What people who oppose it:

• The Republican Party of Los Angeles County
• Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
• Mike Antonovich, L.A. County supervisor (ret.)

Jack Humphreville, a columnist with CityWatch and self-professed fiscal conservative, said he wants more information about why such a measure is needed. “The lack of transparency is shocking,” Humphreville said. “They are asking for $152 million but we do not have any facts, figures or analysis. Where is the outreach?"

“It is almost like a booty call,” he continued in an email to LAist. “No courtship until they want our money.”

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This voter guide originally published Oct. 4.