Clackamas Fire District updates Oregon City on levy-funded staffing, stations and wildfire readiness

Representatives from Clackamas Fire District No. 1 briefed the Oregon City Commission on Nov. 5 about the levy-funded expansion of services and wildfire preparedness.

The chief reported 8,985 calls in the third quarter, including 323 fires and 5,641 medical calls, and said the district saved an estimated $37.35 million in property value through responses. The levy funded the hiring of positions to staff 62 firefighters; the chief said the district is at roughly 60 of those levy-funded positions with an academy scheduled that will bring staffing to the promised level.

Station 12 reopened in July and Station 13, near the Clarks/Beavercreek area close to Oregon City, has generated about 300 calls for service with 40 for fires; the chief said improved response reliability came from reopening those stations and adding quick-response vehicles and type-6 wildland brush trucks. The district noted it now fields approximately 33 wildland-capable apparatus (up from 13 in 2020) and maintains a type 2 / 2IA hand crew — the only municipal department in Oregon to do so — used statewide and nationally.

Commissioners praised the improved response times and asked about staffing models, station staffing levels and opportunities for citizen participation on budget and district boards; Clackamas Fire staff said upcoming vacancies on the district's budget committee and board will be publicly posted, likely in early 2027, and invited community members to apply.

The district said the levy-driven investments have increased local response reliability during wildfire seasons and large incidents that have required level 2 and level 3 evacuations in recent years.