DALLAS, Ore. — The failure of a proposed operating levy in the May 2026 election will force the SW Polk Fire District to reduce staffing, increase emergency response times in some areas, and unstaff a local fire station beginning this summer, district officials announced.
Levy Measure 27-148, which appeared on the May ballot, did not receive enough support from voters to pass. District leaders said the measure was designed to preserve current emergency response staffing, ambulance transport reliability, firefighter wellness programs, and long-term operational stability amid growing service demands.
In a statement released following the election, district officials said they recognize many residents are facing financial strain and are unable to take on additional tax burdens. At the same time, they warned that without sustainable funding, service reductions are unavoidable.
As a result, the district will implement operational cuts effective June 30, 2026.
The reductions will include fewer firefighter and EMS personnel on duty, increased emergency response times in parts of the district, reduced ambulance availability during periods of high call volume, and the unstaffing of the Bridgeport Fire Station. The district also expects to rely more heavily on mutual aid agreements and overtime staffing when available.
“These decisions are difficult and carry real impacts to emergency response capability,” Fire Chief Fred Hertel said in a statement. “Our firefighters and paramedics remain committed to providing the highest level of service possible, but reduced staffing inevitably affects response times, unit availability, and operational flexibility.”
District officials said the timing of the cuts presents added concerns as wildfire season approaches. Reduced staffing levels could limit the district’s ability to respond simultaneously to structure fires, vegetation fires, medical emergencies, and extended attack incidents during periods of elevated fire danger.
“With wildfire risk increasing each summer, maintaining adequate staffing is critical not only for emergency medical response but also for initial attack capability on vegetation fires,” Hertel said. “Early, aggressive response is one of the most important factors in keeping small fires from becoming large incidents.”
The district emphasized that firefighters and paramedics will continue responding throughout the service area, though residents may notice changes in service delivery compared with current operations.
According to district leadership, Measure 27-148 was developed after extensive financial analysis aimed at balancing emergency service demands with long-term fiscal sustainability. Officials noted that the district had already implemented cost-saving measures, including administrative restructuring and staff position reductions, before placing the levy before voters.
SW Polk Fire District thanked community members who participated in the election process and said it will continue exploring options to maintain emergency services within existing funding levels.
Additional information regarding the operational changes and implementation timeline is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
