Fairview council opens information-gathering on proposed change to fire service; union leaders urge regional plan

Fairview city leaders said Aug. 6 they are in an information-gathering stage after several firefighter unions and local chiefs urged the council not to approve a plan that would transfer fire and emergency services for Fairview, Wood Village and Troutdale to Clackamas Fire District 1.

Why it matters: multiple speakers representing career firefighters and station leadership warned that the Clackamas proposal, as described to the council, would reduce immediate local resources, risk longer response times and shift costs and responsibility to voters or other agencies. Council members said no imminent decision is pending and that city staff and city managers from neighboring jurisdictions will continue meetings to evaluate options.

Several union leaders and local captains spoke at the meeting. Jeff Teeter, speaking for local professional firefighters, said emergency calls were rising and urged the city to seek a regional, multi-city commitment…