Editor,

The residents of Coupeville and surrounding areas owe our thanks — and sometimes our lives — to Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue.

Whether a house fire, a water rescue, a brush burn out of control, or a personal safety call, they are there for us.

Let’s never take them for granted.

And now we’ve learned that, through their efforts in cooperation with other entities, our latest fire insurance ratings have gone up.

On a scale of one to 10, with 1 the highest possible protection level, the Town of Coupeville’s score increased from five to four, and scores for unincorporated areas served by Central Whidbey Fire also improved.

The dedicated members of the fire department, both paid and volunteer, deserve our commendation.

Catherine Ballay

Coupeville