Improvements achieved since November 2018

When I started as fire chief, we had no certified firefighters that could enter a home and rescue victims from a structure fire. They also had no legal firefighting apparel that was certified to protect them from the fire both structure and wildland. No one was certified after Glen passed to wear a SCBA.

• We had an older ambulance 20 years old that needed to be replaced. 
• These are things we have acquired and received with over $500,000 in grants and with an abundance of training and hard work.
• 15 fully certified turnouts to include helmets, gloves, hoods, boots and SCBA’s.
• New wildland gear including fire shelters, hoses and wildland tools. We now have 8 people certified to do wildland fires. We now have 2 firefighter 1’s and 3 FF 2’s. 
• We have 2 NFPA instructor 1’s.
• We have a new set of JAWS, all new structure hose, air monitors, new radios, hose roller and hand tools not to mention new nozzles.
• We have obtained 2 new to us fire engines and 2 ambulances with a gurney system that lifts and loads the patients that saves our backs. 
• We have upgraded our level of service, medical care, new medical equipment and bags as well as having Certified EMR’s and EMT’s in the department. 
• All the computers have been upgraded.
• We have 2 command units.
• We have sleeping quarters that have at least 2 people here at the station Sunday night until Friday evening. 
• We have a garage and a side by side to plow snow.
• We have a security system to monitor the parking lot and station.
• We have a training room with 3 offices for our full-time staff.
• We replaced the sewer system. 
• Our fire chief attends ambulance advisory meetings and Fire defense board meetings. 
• A representative attends monthly fire prevention meetings. 
• Our Chief sits on one state committee for mobilization rates and an ODOT county committee.
• We now participate in a yearly safety fair in Klamath Falls. 
• We have ICS certifications that helps us get grants. 
• We started a cadet program and have two teenagers in that program that graduated to regular volunteers.
• Our department is trained in hazmat operations and extrication. 
• We have trainings every Tuesday evening to keep us certified in our subjects and improve performance.
• We have a complete Board of Directors that fully support the Fire chief and all the volunteers .
• We are also receiving full accreditation with DPSST to teach in house classes.
• We have obtained Firewise status as a community.