A local fire district has strengthened its emergency response capabilities with the addition of three new emergency response vehicles, all funded through a general obligation bond approved by voters in May 2024.
The new apparatus, delivered over the past several months, includes a replacement ambulance and two specialized brush trucks that district officials say will improve service during the busy summer fire season.
The new ambulance replaces a 2005 ambulance that underwent a remount in 2017, extending its service life for several additional years. The replacement ensures the district can continue providing reliable emergency medical services with modern equipment.
The district also added two new brush trucks designed to enhance wildfire response and operational efficiency. One of the vehicles will primarily serve as an incident command vehicle and will be staffed daily by the on-duty Battalion Chief. Officials said the truck will allow the district to respond to nearly every emergency call with immediate fire suppression capability while requiring minimal staffing. The vehicle will also help reduce response costs when assisting with medical emergencies.
The second addition is a specialized “super single” Type 6 brush truck, built to navigate rugged terrain and rural areas commonly found in the wildland-urban interface. The vehicle’s design allows firefighters to reach difficult-to-access locations more effectively during wildland fires.
Fire officials said expanding the district’s fleet of brush trucks will improve their ability to deploy personnel during large-scale incidents, including recent responses to the Wiley Fire and Rice Road Fire. The additional equipment enables crews to protect multiple homes simultaneously while attacking fires more rapidly and efficiently.
District leaders credited the community for making the purchases possible through their support of the 2024 bond measure.
“We are grateful for the support of our voters and want to thank them for their part in providing the necessary equipment to effectively protect our community,” the district said in a statement.
Officials said the new vehicles will play an important role in enhancing emergency response capabilities and improving public safety throughout the district during the peak wildfire season and beyond.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
