From the Fire Chief's Desk

By Alan Hull, Fire Chief

April 19, 2007

     The City of Estacada and the surrounding areas are developing; we can plan for this growth, or react to problems that arise from the development. Estacada Fire District prefers the advance planning and preparation approach.

     Originally the Estacada Rural Fire District # 69 Board of Directors opposed the City of Estacada’s Urban Renewal Plan (URB). Estacada Fire opposed the plan, not because of the plan itself, but because the plan took away the ability of the Fire District to increase the amount of taxes collected in the urban renewal area for 20 years.

     The Fire District and the City have been negotiating a plan to lessen the impact on the Fire District, and presently have agreed on a plan that would provide a win-win solution. Included in the agreement, the City would provide the Fire District with much needed land, in the URA, for future fire station development. This includes the decommissioning of a city street/right of way and assistance with service development charges, should the Fire District obtain voter approval for a new fire station, sometime in the future. Also included would be a position on the urban renewal advisory board, to give insight and direction to the URA.

     Decisions made today will affect our ability to respond tomorrow and only with proper planning and preparation will we be ready to service the increased population. With this in mind, and a partnership with the City in hand, the Fire District supports the City of Estacada’s Urban Renewal Plan.

Alan L. Hull, Fire Chief

Estacada Rural Fire District # 69

Click here to view a copy of the agreement between the city and the fire district.

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Past Chief's Desk Reports:

March 2006

September 2006