Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue is the fire protection, emergency medical services, hazmat, search and rescue, and extrication provider for The Dalles and northern Wasco County in the state of Oregon. The department is made up of both paid staff and volunteers. They protect about 16,000 people that cover an area of about 120 sq mi (310.8 km²). The department has two fire stations and serve a primarily residential area. They have an ISO rating of 4-8.

The department, as currently operating, was formed by a vote of the people which consolidated the City of The Dalles Fire Department with the Wasco Rural Fire Protection District effective July 1, 1995. The name Wasco Rural Fire Protection district was kept until May 16, 1996 when it was changed to the current name.

Board of directors

The department is governed by a five member volunteer Board of Directors. This group is elected from the service area of the department and they serve a term of four years.

Emergency Medical Service

The ambulance service serves an area of over 200 sq mi (518 km²).

Volunteers

The department has about 40 volunteers that perform both firefighter and EMS duties. The volunteers also have a chaplain and support services. Volunteer recruits attend a fire academy put on yearly by the Columbia Gorge Training Association.

History

The fire department in The Dalles was built upon by several hose, and hook and ladder companies throughout the latter half of the 19th century. The first hook and ladder to serve The Dalles was Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 which formed May 3, 1859 and later disbanded January 6, 1860.^[1] That same year, on October 28, the city commissioned and completed work on an engine house.^[1]

The Diligent Hook and Ladder Company was formed January 15, 1862; this company later tendered resignation to the city council—which accepted the resignation—and was disbanded January 15, 1863. At this same time a petition was filed to organize the Jackson Engine Company No. 1. In 1880 a new steam fire engine—purchased by the city—was given to them.^[1]

A few years later, on June 19, 1865, the Grant Hook and Ladder Company was organized and given the truck and other equipment of the former Diligent Hook and Ladder Company. On September 28, 1865, Relief Hose Company No. 1 was formed; this company later disbanded in 1868.^[1]

There was a new hose company to be known as the Columbia Hose Company was organized May 8, 1875. Later, on September 8, 1879 the Wasco Engine Company No. 2 was formed, but later disbanded in April 1882.^[1]

By 1905, The Dalles was thought to have "had one of the best volunteer fire departments and apparatus of any town in the state." Their apparatus consisted of "a steam engine, chemical engine, hand engine, five hose companies and one hook and ladder company, all thoroughly equipped with the latest improved appliances for fighting."^[1]

Organization Memberships

• Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO)
• Oregon Fire District Directors Association (OFDDA)
• League of Oregon Cities
• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• NFPA
• Fire Department Safety Officers Association
• Fire Med
• Oregon Fire Service Office Administrators
• Oregon Fire Marshals Association
• Oregon Fire Instructors Association
• Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
• Oregon Fire Apparatus & Equipment Mechanics Association

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Shaver, Frederic Ambrose. An Illustrated History of Central Oregon: Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, and Klamath Counties, State of Oregon. Spokane, WA: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1905.

External links

• Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (official site)

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