TO REPORT AN EMERGENCY: DIAL 9-1-1

Clackamas Fire District – Emergency Services Levy

About The Levy

Clackamas Fire is one of the largest and busiest fire agencies in the region, serving 220,000 residents across 235 square miles. Demands for emergency response are growing, with more than 30,000 annual calls. Since 2021, there has been a 15% increase in call volume yet budget

constraints resulted in a 9% decrease in emergency staffing. With wildfire risk is also increasing, the permanent tax rate needed to be able to keep up with the community’s demand.

An open letter from Clackamas Fire District Chief Nick Browne

Updated  January 2024

Dear Community Member:

Subject: Year 1 Plan for Emergency Services Levy  

I am writing to give an update on the status of the Emergency Services Levy. As you might know, voters passed  Measure 3-594 in May. This levy commits to increasing staffing in fire stations across the fire district, investing  in equipment, and fighting wildfires. Since its passage in May, we have hired 28 firefighters. We are happy to  report that this completes our hiring goal for Year 1. Currently, 15 of the 28 new hires are in the academy and  are expected to graduate by January. The second academy of 13 will begin in March 2024.  

Below, I’ve outlined our commitments we made to the community with levy dollars. These commitments were  carefully formulated utilizing a range of metrics and inputs to ensure the effective and efficient allocation of  resources to serve and protect our community.  

Metrics Utilized in Plan Formation 

Promise to the Community: We take our commitment to the community seriously and incorporate our commitment as a guiding principle in the formulation of this plan. Our focus remains on enhancing public safety, reducing response times, and addressing critical needs within the district. 

Wall to Wall Approach: We considered the entirety of our district’s geography, population distribution, and identified areas with potential vulnerabilities to make sure that all residents receive equitable access to emergency services. 

NFPA 1720, Call Volume/Unit Utilization: Our plan is based on the National Fire Protection Association’s guidelines and considers call volume and unit utilization data, ensuring our resources are optimally deployed where they are needed most. 

Annual Structure Fires per Planning Zone over the last four years: An analysis of structure fire incidents over the past four years in different planning zones helped us identify high-risk areas and allocate additional resources accordingly. 

Addresses without a Fire Hydrant: We considered the presence of fire hydrants when determining station locations and distribution of resources to effectively respond to incidents in areas without easy access to water supply. 

Firefighter Safety: Our plan places a strong emphasis on firefighter safety by providing additional support, specialized equipment, and training required to address various emergency situations safely. 

Heavy Asset Impacts/Availability: We took into account the availability and deployment of heavy assets required for dealing with large-scale emergencies or hazardous materials incidents. 

Wildfire Protection: Given the increasing threat of wildfires, we strategically positioned wildland apparatus at specific stations to enhance our response capabilities during wildland fire events. 

Time: We considered the urgency of response times in critical situations and structured the plan to minimize response times as much as possible.

 

Our internal task force has diligently reviewed and analyzed results derived from these metrics, and we are now excited to present the Year 1 Levy Plan, outlined below. We look forward to the next few years of implementation: 

Effective January 1, 2024: 

  • Staffing will increase at Station 1, 8, 14, 15, and 19 to improve response capabilities. These stations will directly have an impact on the Cities of Happy Valley, Milwaukie, and Oregon City, as well as the communities of Boring, Oak Lodge, and Damascus. 
  • The 12-hour medic unit will transition to a 24-hour quick response unit in Oregon City, with 12 hours dedicated to transporting patients. 

Additionally, Stations 8 (Clackamas) and 14 (Boring) will receive: 

  • A second apparatus operator to improve water tender reliability for structure fires and wildfires. 
  • An additional wildland apparatus to bolster wildfire response capabilities. 

Starting July 1, 2024: 

  • Station 13 (Clarkes) will be staffed 24/7 with a Type 3 apparatus to enhance its emergency response capabilities to the communities of Beavercreek and Clarkes. 

Technology Advancements: 

  • We are thrilled to introduce Darkhorse Analytics, a game-changing technology, which will improve our decision-making processes and resource allocation. 

The Year 1 Plan represents our dedication to the safety and well-being of our community. We are confident that this strategic approach, coupled with the incorporation of reliable data and advanced analytics, will lead to a  more efficient, effective, and responsive emergency services system. 

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly with any questions you have about the levy implantation and decision-making process. On behalf of Clackamas Fire District, we look forward to your feedback and support as we move towards full implementation of the Year 1 Levy Plan. Together, we can build a safer and more secure  environment for our community. 

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 

pastedGraphic.png

Chief Nick Browne
Clackamas Fire District

In The News

FAQs

Why does our community need an emergency services levy?

Clackamas Fire crews are understaffed. National best practices for safety and effective response call for increased staffing on each fire apparatus.

This disparity raises concerns about safe and effective response, especially during high-volume periods and wildfire season.  Clackamas Fire leadership has dedicated emergency services levy funds to meet national best practices. 

Prior to levy passage, Clackamas Fire was unable to commit full-time staffing for Logan and Clarkes Community Fire Stations. These stations were designed to provide emergency response to a large, rural service area and are critical to wildfire protection. Levy funds will now allow the district to offer 24/7 staffing at these stations, which will significantly enhance emergency response effectiveness across a wide territory, and place firefighters and equipment closer to areas with significant wildfire risk. 

What does the levy fund?

The emergency services levy will ultimately fund 62 full-time positions, supporting safe, effective, and best practice staffing models across the district while also meeting the increased demands of wildfire response. 

Clackamas Fire established an initial set of staffing and operational priorities funded through the levy, including:

  • Hiring additional firefighters to provide four-person staffing in most stations, 
  • Full-time staffing of rural fire stations (Logan and Clarkes), and 
  • Implement an alternative response model which includes lighter resources to improve response efficiency in high-volume service areas. 
  • Funding for equipment critical to emergency and wildfire response. 

How much will it cost?

The levy provides annual funding of $14.5 million. Levy rates are based on assessed property value, which is typically much less than a property’s real market value. The median homeowner in the Clackamas Fire District will pay between $119-138 annually. 

When will we see emergency services levy funds invested into our community?

Immediately! 

  • Training academies using levy funds begin January 2024; training is completed…
  • Logan and Clarkes to reopen by June 2024, once the first levy-funded academy has been completed
  • Communities will see updated equipment beginning… (to ensure apparatus fully meets the needs of the community, both in the short- and long-term, Clackamas Fire expects initial equipment to be out in the field by ____)
  • Crew 30
Skip to content