The $14.5 million annual levy will invest in firefighters, equipment, and wildfire mitigation and response
May 18 – Measure 3-594 is poised to pass. As of Thursday morning, 58% of Clackamas Fire District voters approved the $14.5 million Emergency Services Levy, which will fund enhanced firefighter staffing and equipment for emergency and wildfire response.
Clackamas Fire District is one of the largest and busiest emergency response agencies in the Portland Metro Area, serving more than 220,000 residents across 235 square miles. Clackamas Fire District responds to approximately 30,000 calls each year. However, until this special district election, and unlike other large fire agencies Clackamas Fire District did not have an emergency services levy to fund firefighter positions and equipment needs. This funding gap led to persistent staffing challenges, including an inability to maintain coverage at several rural fire stations. The now-approved levy will use funds to:
- Hire 62 additional firefighters,
- Enable increased staffing across most fire stations,
- Provide 24/7 career staffing at two rural fire stations (Clarkes and Logan) that are critical to wildfire and emergency response,
- Supply quick response vehicles to improve response efficiency in high-volume service areas,
- Invest in equipment and operational costs connected to emergency and wildfire mitigation, prevention, and response.
Clackamas Fire District leadership, staff, and Board members quickly expressed their appreciation.
Said Clackamas Fire District Chief Nick Browne:
“This has been a true team effort. I want to thank the residents and business owners of Clackamas Fire District for engaging with us and providing feedback throughout the levy development process. I’d also like to thank the Clackamas Fire District Board of Directors, our staff, and our community partners for their everlasting support and trust. This levy will ensure we maintain our quality of service and response for years to come. It will, undoubtedly, save lives. I look forward to reporting back regularly to residents and community members on the impact of levy investments.”
Said Director Chris Hawes:
“The development of this levy began nearly three years ago after the devastating 2020 wildfire season. We knew, as a district, we needed to make strategic and long-term investments in equipment and staffing if we were to uphold our promise to keep our community safe. Since then, we have made a concerted effort to prioritize community outreach and engagement to develop a levy that reflects the needs of our community. While it’s impossible to thank every single person who helped see this levy succeed, I like to especially thank Clackamas Fire District voters, Clackamas Fire District firefighters, and Fire Chief Nick Browne for his leadership.”
For media inquiries, contact Public Information Officer Izak Hamilton: 971.804.4969 or cfdpio@clackamasfire.com.
###
A public meeting of the Budget Committee of Clackamas Fire District #1, Clackamas, Oregon, will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive public comment. This meeting will be held at Clackamas Fire District #5 (9339 SE Causey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086) and via remote video conferencing. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may attend the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. If you would like to provide a public comment during the meeting, you will need to sign up no later than Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Please sign up by filling out this form on our website: www.clackamasfire.com/public-meeting-comments/. If you would like to attend online or by phone, please visit the website at www.clackamasfire.com for the link to the meeting and passcode.
A copy of the budget document will be available on May 18, 2023, on the District's website at: www.clackamasfire.com. If a hard copy is required, it may be obtained after May 18th at 11300 SE Fuller Rd, Milwaukie, Oregon by appointment. Please call 503-742-2600 to make an appointment.
The Board of Directors for Clackamas Fire District #1 will hold a regular board meeting followed by an executive session on Monday May 15, 2023, at 5:00 pm. Agenda items for the regular board meeting will include the regular monthly division reports. The executive session will be under ORS 192.660(2)(a) to discuss a personnel matter.
If you would like to provide public comment during the meeting, you will need to sign up no later than Monday, May 15, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Please sign up by filling out the Public Meeting Comments form on our website: https://clackamasfire.com/public-meeting-comments/.
The public is invited to attend either by remote video conferencing or in person at Station 5 (9339 SE Causey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086). If you would like to attend online or by phone, please access Clackamas Fire's website for the Zoom meeting link and passcode at: https://clackamasfire.com/public-notices/.