Tanglewood residents back plan for a volunteer-staffed fire engine; AMR reports 61 calls in early December
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Summary
Randy Hegweld of Linn County Rural Fire reported an ISO coverage gap in the county center and proposed placing an engine in Tanglewood to lower insurance ratings; Tanglewood HOA president expressed support. Don Brooks of AMR provided a December run tally: 61 calls and 31 transports (Dec. 1–15).
Randy Hegweld, representing Linn County Rural Fire and Emergency, told the commission that ISO mapping shows a coverage void in the middle of the county: any area within five miles of a station receives a favorable ISO 5 classification while areas beyond that are rated a 10. To reduce insurance rates and improve response, Hegweld proposed exploring placement of a staffed engine at Tanglewood, possibly using leased space in newly constructed Tanglewood facilities and recruiting volunteers locally.
Les Warner, president of the Tanglewood Homeowner Association, spoke during public comment in strong support of the plan and said the association would help recruit volunteers and could provide space for a pumper if the county moved forward. Commissioners asked operational questions — gate access, card distribution and staffing — and sought more recruitment information before deciding whether to advance planning or lease discussions.
In the county’s emergency medical services report, Don Brooks of AMR provided the ambulance run totals for December 1–15: Blue Mound (3 calls, 1 transport), Centerville (2 calls, 0 transports), Greeley (1 call, 1 transport), LaSine (14 calls, 7 transports), Lynn Valley (7 calls, 5 transports), Mound City (11 calls, 6 transports), Parker (7 calls, 3 transports), Pleasanton (14 calls, 7 transports), Prescott (2 calls, 1 transport) — for a total of 61 calls and 31 transports.
What happens next: The fire chief will explore location/lease options with Tanglewood and the board asked staff to bring back a cost–benefit assessment and recruitment plan for volunteer staffing.
