The Warrenton Fire Protection District will soon review the fallout from last week’s election defeat, with signs more voters do understand its future needs.

Fire Chief Anthony Hayeslip instead expressed optimism that the district’s call for the $10 million bond issue over 20 years impressed those who went to the polls on April 4. With this election, the issue required a four-seventh margin — just over 57 percent — for approval. Only 52 percent voted to approve issuing the bonds to the district. Hayeslip said 82 percent of Warrenton Fire Protection District voters chose not to go to the polls this time.

He called the better-than-half margin as “definitely getting better....I think that’s  more encouraging....We’re informing people. I think we just have to continue.”

The district’s board of directors is scheduled to meet next Tuesday night to discuss the election and consider which path to pursue next in seeking various fire protection improvements in order to meet future demand.

Replacing Warrenton’s aging firefighting fleet was among objectives for the bonds.

“Almost all of our vehicles are getting to 15 years or older,” Hayeslip said. The district is striving to replace half of its fleet of pumpers, tankers, and brush trucks, he added.

Among other areas, the district wants to perform some work to its physical locations. Hayeslip called Station 1, built in 1993, “a very solid station. It could use some upgrades.” Its original purpose was geared toward administrative staff duties.

The station could use additional living quarters for firefighters, he said.

“Having those facilities would be huge,” said Hayeslip. An old classroom and three beds have been used for firefighters’ overnight stays.

Infrastructure in the 1993 building — namely hot water heaters and furnaces — are major problems in that firehouse.

“What we’re seeing is just more and more maintenance,” Hayeslip said.

Block walls are settling at the 2007 station, where the parking lot is also a prime need. Just like the 1993 station, it also has a list of similar infrastructure projects.

Had it been approved, the bond issue would have also helped consolidate the district’s remaining debt on the south station, which still amounts to $1.1 to $1.2 million, according to Hayeslip. It annually costs the district $158,000 to budget those payments.

Warrenton voters approved creation of the fire district in 1988, to the tune of 89 percent. Although there have been several attempts to gain approval from voters for new funding, the last tax increase for the district was approved in 2001. That measure was used to produce revenue for personnel programs and to help cover operational costs. A 65 percent majority approved that tax.

The district also wants to begin setting aside a minimum 3 percent reserve fund for emergencies. Specialized training, with outside instructors for firefighters in classes held in Warrenton, is an objective that carries a high price tag. Both ideas were included with the bond issue.

“There’s so many certifications these guys need,” said Hayeslip, in order to meet state government and other professional standards.

The chief said the district remains passionate about providing good fire service to the Warrenton area.