Q: How did this partnership come about?

A: Clackamas Fire has been providing emergency fire and medical services to Gladstone under a service contract since June 2022. However, the current agreement does not fully align with the service levels and budgets allocated to other communities within the fire district. To address this, Gladstone and Clackamas Fire have been engaged in ongoing discussions to explore options that will ensure long-term, high-quality emergency fire and medical services for the residents of Gladstone.

Q: When does the current service agreement expire?

A: The current contract is set to expire in June 2027.

Q: Why does Gladstone currently contract with Clackamas Fire for fire and emergency services? 

A: Gladstone Fire, as a smaller fire department, struggled to recruit and maintain fulltime, trained personnel. Before contracting with Clackamas Fire, Gladstone had relied on both hired staff and volunteers to respond to emergencies. With the community’s growing needs, Gladstone began to work with Clackamas Fire to increase the number of professional firefighters on duty, add paramedic services, and increase service level at a rate that the city couldn’t afford to do as a stand-alone department. This partnership was a positive step forward, supported by both the Gladstone Fire Department and Gladstone City Council as a win for the community.

Q: What other options does Gladstone have for future fire and emergency services?

A: Gladstone could continue to contract with Clackamas Fire. However, this would require both parties enter negotiations for the upcoming contract. Updated contracts would require extensive changes and cost increases for Gladstone residents to simply maintain current service levels, and Gladstone residents wouldn’t be guaranteed to receive enhanced services that Clackamas Fire provides within their jurisdiction. 

Q: If Gladstone was annexed by Clackamas Fire, how would that impact my taxes?

A: Annexation of Gladstone into Clackamas Fire would have a cost impact of an additional $7.30 per month for the average Gladstone homeowner, ensuring the rates remain equal across the district. Currently, Gladstone residents pay an aggregated rate of approximately $2.06/1000  for emergency fire services. Communities directly served by the district pay a current rate of $2.40/$1,000, which includes emergency fire and medical services.

Q: What are the benefits of annexation? 

A: Several, such as:

• Receiving the same level of enhanced services currently being provided across all other communities within the fire district
• Having the ability to vote directly on representation to the Clackamas Fire Board of Directors and any future funding measures
• Creating long-term certainty for the city’s emergency response needs, protect and/or enhance our ISO rating, and provide Clackamas Fire with flexibility to make strategic investments in capital facilities, equipment, and operations in Gladstone in a way that improves overall regional coordination and life safety response

Q: When will Gladstone make decision be made about annexation? What’s the process?

A: A final decision to refer an annexation measure to the ballot will be made July 8th, 2025 by the Gladstone City Council. If the city council votes to refer a measure to the Gladstone voters, residents will see it on the November 2025 ballot. 

Q: Will I have an opportunity to provide input on the possible annexation? 

A: Of course. Gladstone and Clackamas Fire are committed to a community-driven process. We have scheduled two open houses for Gladstone residents to learn about fire and emergency services in their community, understand funding options, and meet neighborhood firefighters. 

Saturday, May 10 // 10 am – 12 pm

Gladstone Fire Station

555 Portland Avenue

Saturday, May 17 // 10 am – 12 pm

Gladstone Community Center

1050 Portland Ave 

Q: Does Clackamas Fire have any experience in merging with neighboring districts?

A: Yes. Clackamas Fire District #1 was formed in 1976 based on a merger between the former Milwaukie Fire Protection District #56 and Multnomah County Fire District #12. Since then, Happy Valley Fire District #65, Clackamas Fire District #71, Clackamas Fire District #54, Beavercreek Fire District #55, Oak Lodge Fire District #51, Clarkes Fire District #68, Boring Fire District #59, as well as Damascus, Milwaukie, and Oregon City have joined Clackamas Fire.