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Fire chief reports staffing challenges, new engine and Westfir apparatus repairs
Summary
Oak Ridge/Westfir fire chief reported July training, vehicle maintenance, a new wildland‑capable Type 3 engine (suitable for structural response), completed pump testing on the Westfir engine, and difficulty recruiting paid staff; the chief asked the council to support volunteer recruitment and an open house.
Chief Pollard gave the July fire report, noting classroom and practical training hours and vehicle mileage concerns on medic units. He said Oak Ridge hired a new firefighter/paramedic (Josh Wolf) as EMS coordinator and that FEMA grant applications were submitted for two medic units; the department’s reserve fund currently covers about one-third of the cost of a new medic unit.
Pollard reported the department completed repairs and pump testing on the Westfir engine and will schedule hose testing (paid by Oak Ridge). He said a newly received Type 3 wildland engine—funded by an Oregon City Fire Marshal grant—has a sufficiently large pump to be used on structural fires and will improve response capability. Pollard asked the council to consider returning an engine to the Westfir bay if the town can recruit roughly four volunteers to staff it and proposed an open house in late September or early October to increase community engagement.
Why it matters: the report describes near‑term operational readiness and a need for volunteer recruitment to improve local response times; the Westfir engine housing could materially reduce response times if volunteers are available. The chief also warned that the department faces pay competition from larger county transport services, which limits applicant pools for paid positions.
