Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Three-city fire-service study could lead to annexation or shared services; report nearing technical review
Summary
Consultant AP Triton told Wood Village council the regional fire-service study is near completion after receiving 2024 data from Gresham; options include administrative or operational collaboration, annexation to Clackamas Fire, or forming a three-city district — any major change could take 1–2 years and will require public outreach.
City staff and consultant AP Triton updated the Wood Village City Council on Jan. 28 about a regional study of fire and emergency medical services covering three cities.
John, the project lead from AP Triton, said the draft report is large but incomplete: “Right now, we're at about 90 pages. We're on draft number 18,” he said, and the team is waiting for Gresham’s finalized 2024 data before issuing a technical review. The consultant told council the two remaining major sections are the financial analysis and the service-delivery write-up.
Councilors pressed on options and timing. John outlined a menu of approaches — administrative collaboration, shared functional operations, operational consolidation, annexation to an existing fire district, or forming a new regional district — and estimated that implementing a consolidation or annexation would likely take “probably a year to two years.” Staff said city managers from the three cities aim to refine a proposal and, if feasible, return to councils for consideration by early March so communities are protected by July 1.
The consultant also summarized a community survey: 166 responses, with 65% from Troutdale, 25% from Fairview and 8% from Wood Village. Respondents rated fire suppression and EMS as top priorities and placed lower priority on tax rate or cost.
Staff flagged next steps including the technical review release, manager-level meetings to pencil out interlocal agreements, and potential public-education work with PR firms. Councilors discussed tools to guarantee generator availability, equipment transfers if districts reorganize, and the need to educate the public well before any ballot measure.
