SNOHOMISH, Wash. - They can mean the difference between life and death when you call 911. But paramedics no longer go on fire calls in the city of Snohomish.

Last November voters turned down the levy that would have paid for them.

That worries Suanne Reynolds. Her family has called 911 when she's gone into diabetic shock. Fortunately paramedics arrived, not just fire fighters.

"Because they would be completely unable to give me what's called a glucagon shot. And the shot is the last resort before I go into a diabetic coma," said Reynolds.

Voters have turned the EMS levy for Snohomish County Fire District 4 a total of five times.

"People didn't realize you're not going to get paramedic response," said Deputy Chief Ron Simmons. "You're going to get someone who can hold you hand, help stop the bleeding and run you to the hospital as quick as possible."

The fire district responds to 2,400 emergency calls a year. In three quarters of them, someone needs medical help. Without paramedics there is no one to treat coronary emergencies, seizures or respiratory problems.

"Your chances of dying from one of these problems - like a heart attack, an asthma attack or major trauma - is going to go up," said the county's EMS Medical Director, Dr. Ron Brown.

Voters are getting another chance at the levy in a special election on April 24.

"I'm hopeful," said Everett Clinic Physician, Dr. Loren Ihle. " When we get out in the community and talk to people, there is a better level of understanding now of what's at stake here."