Troutdale speakers urge coordinated talks with Gresham as fire-district option advances

Troutdale residents, fire station staff and several council members urged the city to pursue coordinated talks with Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village and Multnomah County's District 10 about future fire service arrangements after a Gresham work session on the subject.

Public comment and council discussion focused on preserving local service while exploring a larger fire district. Station Captain Travis Soles of the Troutdale Fire Station told the council he attended Gresham's meeting and urged collaboration: “My hope is that this continues with the partnership of the 4 cities and District 10 working together.” Soles said Troutdale could consider a short-term intergovernmental agreement with Gresham to provide continuity during any transition, or joining District 10 now and allowing Gresham to join later.

Why it matters: Council members and staff described an urgent timetable. One council speaker emphasized Troutdale needs assurances about service and financial terms if the city transitions from the current contract with Gresham, noting Troutdale requires stable fire coverage by June next year. Council and staff described multiple possible paths (extend the current Gresham contract under negotiated terms, pursue a multi-city District 10 consolidation, or execute a new IGA that phases changes over time).

Discussion details and concerns - Residents and staff urged collaboration rather than unilateral decisions by any single city. Rich Allen, a resident who recently attended a regional meeting, said the Gresham session appeared open to discussion and urged Troutdale to "engage them in such a similar manner." - Captain Travis Soles explained operational nuances of a transition, including a contract clause he read that would require a one-year notice if a party sought to leave an existing agreement, which would allow operations to continue while negotiations proceed. - Council speakers pressed for concrete assurances on terms. One long council comment noted that while Gresham signaled interest in studying a fire district, Troutdale must secure binding terms if an extension with Gresham is needed to avoid a service gap. - Several speakers warned a simple endorsement of a district concept is not sufficient; financial arrangements and service-level commitments must be clarified before Troutdale changes its contractual status.

Direction and next steps - Council discussion repeatedly called for prompt, collaborative talks among the four jurisdictions to determine whether a multi-city District 10 arrangement can meet Troutdale's service and financial needs. Several council members said they will engage with their counterparts in neighboring cities to seek more precise terms and timelines. - Staff and councilors asked that continued negotiations include explicit assumptions about personnel, station coverage and costs so Troutdale can evaluate whether a district or a short-term IGA extension is preferable.

Formal action - No formal vote or ordinance on a fire-district change was taken at the Aug. 26 meeting. The item remained a subject of discussion and direction to continue interjurisdictional talks.

Ending - Council members reiterated the need for speed and clarity: Troutdale must avoid a coverage gap while weighing a regional solution. Staff and council indicated they will report back with more detailed options and any proposed agreements for council consideration.