From the Chief’s Desk
As we prepare this year’s fire prevention paper dedicated to former Fire Chief Daniel D. Burke, I can’t help but reflect on how much I miss this man, I called a friend. I respected Chief Burke mostly for his dedication and desire to always do what was right and best for Estacada Fire. He always considered each resulting reaction from every decision he made and the impact those decisions would have on the Fire District. After he retired from the District he was still available as a confidant and consultant to me as the current Chief. I do miss his guidance and advice and often when I’m faced with a particularly tough decision I ask myself, “What would Chief Burke do in this situation?” Although our leadership styles are significantly different, our intentions to serve the Fire District and its’ citizens are very closely aligned.
A subject that unfortunately, over the last couple of years, has been a major concern and point of discussion, was the proven embezzlement of $1.9 million dollars from the District. To date the Fire district has recovered $1.2 million of those dollars and the Fire District Board of Directors have established a reserve fund that effectively restricts the use of this money to purchase property and assist with a new fire station construction. As I stated in last year’s fire prevention article, measures are in place to ensure our district will never again allow a theft of this magnitude to occur. We have applied for a fire station construction grant through the President’s stimulus plan and as of this date do not know if we will be chosen or denied the funds requested. We continue to collaborate with the Urban Renewal Agency to obtain some of the property needed for a new station site. A new fire station continues to be one of the priorities of the Fire District Board of Directors. With the current economic situation of our citizens the Fire Board consensus is to wait until this “recession” is over before requesting voter approval to build a new station.
Until recently, our minimum staffing levels have been only one EMT/firefighter on duty at a time. Normally 2 people would be working at all times except when we had an employee sick or on vacation, at which time we would just work short- handed. To increase our service and ability to administer the most cost effective, high quality emergency care in a reasonable amount of time, our career employees, volunteers, and administration have agreed to support a minimum staffing level of two EMT/firefighters on duty at all times. This quota of two can be reached with either a hired back firefighter or a volunteer with emergency medical technician certification and apparatus operator certification. We are in a trial period of commitment for this staffing level in order to ascertain the actual cost involved in providing this increased level of service. We have agreed to analyze and revisit this issue each year for the next two years and to spend no more than $25,000 per year during this study. Our goal is to decrease response times, enhance our proficiency, increase survival rates in patients, and increase firefighter safety.
One of the most asked questions this time of year is, “When can I burn?” There is no set date that burning will open. Depending on current and predicted weather conditions burning normally opens between October 1 and October 15. Of course, it must be a DEQ approved burn day and a valid permit is required for all but small recreational fires. 503 630-7714 is the burning information phone number.
As members of the public, I work for you. I value your input on any concerns and appreciate any recommendations you may have to better our fire department. I can be reached directly at 503 630-7766.
Alan L. Hull, Fire Chief
Estacada Rural Fire District #69
