Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District reports higher call volume; explains ambulance area, levy and burning authority

Scappoose — The Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District presented its 2024 annual report Monday and briefed the City Council on ambulance coverage, staffing patterns, funding and regulation of open burning within city limits.

The fire district’s presenter summarized operational data showing an increase of about 100 calls compared with the previous year and said the majority of emergency‑medical service (EMS) clients fall into the 60‑plus age bracket. The district has adjusted daytime staffing with an Emergency Response Technician (ERT) position to match peak demand, running an up‑staffed schedule during daytime hours.

On funding, the presenter said the district’s levy is "$1.99 per thousand of assessed value and that levy covers a little over 50%, probably like 53% of our tax revenue." The presenter also told councilors that a recent, one‑time increase in collected tax revenue was related to back taxes connected to a local enterprise zone issue.

The district explained the difference between its fire‑district boundary (about 50 square miles) and its ambulance service‑area boundary (about 100 square miles), noting that ambulance transports often increase turnaround time because there is no hospital in Columbia County and crews sometimes travel into the Portland metro area for off‑loads. That travel extends turnaround times and can leave district ambulances temporarily out of service.

On burning regulation, the presenter said the district enforces state rules and local ordinances. "We are the authority that has jurisdiction over burning activities," the presenter said, and outlined coordinated use of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality guidance and Willamette Valley forecasts to allow or suspend burning. Within city limits, the district can cite violations into municipal court under a local ordinance that gives the district that enforcement option, the presenter told the council.

Why it matters: The district’s report illustrates growing EMS demand, local staffing and mutual‑aid pressures, and funding constraints shaped by levy revenue and long ambulance turnaround times to hospitals outside the county. The district cautioned that overlapping calls and seasonal wildfire risk complicate staffing and resource planning.

Other specifics the district provided: - Peak call volumes occur between roughly 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; an ERT position is used to match that demand. - Mutual aid patterns show the district gives more aid northward than it receives, and the district sometimes relies on neighboring agencies for surge capacity. - The district said last‑year turnout increases are driven by demographic factors (aging population) and increased wildland fire incidents.

Council response and follow‑up: Councilors asked for clarification about ambulance in‑service practices and whether the district can place an ambulance back in service before returning to the station; the presenter described staging options (for example, Sobeys Island Bridge or Corn Pass) to maintain response coverage. Council members also raised questions about yard‑burning enforcement and possible additional city restrictions; the council agreed to solicit public comment and suggested the fire district and the resident who requested additional restrictions present information so the council can consider options and education strategies.

Ending: The council received the annual report as information and encouraged continued coordination between the city and the fire district on training, mutual aid and public outreach on burning rules and wildfire risk.