There are a number of resource and capability enhancements identified by the rural and wildland firefighting districts in Washington County. All of the needs identified by the districts are in line with increasing the ability to respond to emergencies and are fully supported by the Community Wildfire Protection Plan committee.
The implementation of each item will rely on either the isolated efforts of the rural fire districts or a concerted effort by the County Fire Defense Board to achieve equitable enhancements across all of the districts. Given historic trends, individual departments competing against neighboring departments for grant monies and equipment will not necessarily achieve countywide equity.
However, the County Office of Consolidated Emergency Management may be an organization uniquely suited to work with all of the districts in Washington County and adjacent counties to assist in the prioritization of needs across district and even county lines. Once prioritized, the Office of Consolidated Emergency Management and the Fire Defense Board are in a position to assist these districts with identifying, competing for, and obtaining grants and equipment to meet these needs.
Table 5.4. Action Items for Firefighting Resource and Capability Enhancements.
Action Item Goals and Objectives Responsible Organization Timeline and Implementation Plan 5.4.a: Obtain an updated brush
truck and structural engine for the Gaston Rural Fire
Protection District.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Gaston Rural Fire Protection District
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment. protective gear for the Gaston Rural Fire Protection District.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Gaston Rural Fire Protection District
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.c: Obtain two updated structural engines (Type I) and two updated brush trucks (Type 3) for Washington County Fire District #2.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Washington County Fire District #2
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Washington County Fire
District #2. Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.e: Develop a countywide training program to benefit all fire response agencies in Washington County.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Fire Defense Board Year 1 (2007): Develop program plans and guidelines.
Obtain funding and support from all districts and departments.
Year 2 (2008): Purchase needed equipment and begin scheduling training sessions.
5.4.f: Obtain a brush truck for Forest Grove Fire and Rescue.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Forest Grove Fire and Rescue
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.g: Map, develop GIS database, and provide signage for onsite water sources such as hydrants, underground storage tanks, and drafting or dipping sites on all ownerships across the County.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Fire Defense Board Support: County Watermaster
Year 1 (2007): Begin development of database and compilation and digitization of existing map books.
Coordinate effort with County Water Master.
Year 1- 2 (2007-08): Begin training dispatch and individual departments and districts to use new database and mapping system.
Table 5.4. Action Items for Firefighting Resource and Capability Enhancements.
Action Item Goals and Objectives Responsible Organization Timeline and Implementation Plan 5.4.h: Obtain funding to outfit
fire departments with onboard GPS mapping/location systems to improve response efficiency.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Fire Defense Board Support: County Watermaster, Office of Consolidated Emergency Management and individual fire departments and districts.
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment. Possible coordination with Action Item 5.4.k.
5.4.i: Obtain slip-on type and portable wildland firefighting pump units, a fold-a-tank, hose, and hand tools for Metro Regional Parks and
Greenspaces and Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District.
Protection of people and structures by improving Metro’s ability to fight fire.
Priority: Medium
Lead: Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces and Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.j: Obtain a Type III brush unit for Banks Fire Protection District #13.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Banks Fire Protection District
#13
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.k: Obtain funding for updated brush trucks to be allocated to local departments depending on need.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Fire Defense Board and ODF.
Support: Local fire departments and districts
Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.l: Obtain a dual purpose brush unit for the Cornelius Fire Department.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Cornelius Fire Department Year 1 (2007): Verify stated need still exists, develop budget, and locate funding and equipment (surplus) sources.
Year 1 or 2 (2007-08): Acquire and deliver needed materials and equipment.
5.4.m: Work on obtaining a more stable funding
mechanism for the Cornelius Fire Department.
Protection of people and structures by direct firefighting capability enhancements.
Priority: High
Lead: Cornelius Fire Department Year 1 & 2 (2007 - 08): Verify stated need still exists and work with the city of Cornelius as well as constituents to develop a stable mechanism to fund the department in a more sustainable fashion.