North Bend fire chief details vehicle upgrades, grant funding and need for new ladder truck

The North Bend Fire Department told the City Council on July 27 that recent equipment purchases and mitigation projects reduced maintenance costs and fires, but the department still needs outside funding or partnerships to replace an aging ladder truck.

Fire Chief Jim presented the department's annual report, saying the city received two new rapid-response vehicles and two staff vehicles last year and that "all of these vehicles were purchased using the federal funds, the ARPA funds. So, there was no local tax money spent for any of these 4 vehicles that we talked about." He added that the department’s equipment maintenance expense ‘‘dropped 74% from last year at the same time," and fuel costs declined about 11% year over year.

The report said the rapid-response trucks carry about 300 gallons of water, are four-wheel drive and are more maneuverable than the larger apparatus. The department also described expanding wildland mitigation and defensible-space projects across city-owned and adjacent properties, including work near a million-gallon water tank on Lincoln Street, Simpson Park, Pony Creek Road and areas behind Bi-Mart and Pony Village Mall.

Why it matters: The department credited those mitigation projects and the newer, smaller vehicles with lowering call costs and limiting wildland fires in the places where brush was removed. Chief Jim also said the department and volunteers continue public-education work — from school visits to fire-extinguisher training — that officials say helps reduce incident frequency.

But the department said replacing its aerial ladder truck is a major funding challenge. "We are actively looking at trying to replace our aging ladder truck, which was built in 1994. The estimate cost for any ladder truck now is $1,700,000," Chief Jim said. He noted earlier estimates had been much lower in prior years and that the department is pursuing grants and partnerships to avoid depleting city reserves.

City staff and council members praised the department’s grant work. An administrative speaker told the council the department and city have brought in more than $1 million in grant funds since 2020 and reported about $725,000 in successful grants in 2024 alone. The city Finance Director later told the council the replacement-fund balance is not nearly large enough to buy a new ladder truck without outside assistance.

Councilors asked for more details about what the department categorizes as "other" calls; Chief Jim explained these include water rescues, searches for lost persons and rope rescues. Members of the council and staff highlighted the combined volunteer and career staffing model: two administrative staff, three lieutenants, seven engineer/firefighters and 20 volunteer firefighters.

Looking ahead, Chief Jim said the department will continue to pursue grants, partnerships and mitigation projects. "We will continue our efforts to enhance the fire department's capabilities while responding, man and responsibly managing our resources," he said.

Less critical details: The report noted a roughly 18% growth in calls since 2019. Staff said annual inspection reports show the 1994 ladder truck still passes inspection despite maintenance and hydraulic issues, but that the vehicle is at the end of a practical service life.

Article provenance: See transcript excerpts that introduce and close the fire-department discussion.