Jackson County Fire District 1 Acquires New Type 6 Engine

Rogue River, Oregon– Jackson County Fire District 1 proudly announced the addition of a new Type 6 engine to its fleet yesterday, marking a significant enhancement to the district’s firefighting capabilities. This new apparatus, fresh from the manufacturer, is expected to greatly benefit the communities served by the district.

The acquisition is a result of a comprehensive 2021 gap analysis survey conducted in collaboration with Oregon fire defense boards. This survey led to the development of a meticulous and inclusive program aimed at improving fire response across the state. A diverse committee of fire agencies was instrumental in shaping the program, ensuring it addressed a wide range of needs and perspectives.

At the core of this initiative is a commitment to bolstering Oregon’s response to the growing threat of wildfires. The program is designed to support local response efforts, facilitate regional mutual aid, and manage large-scale conflagrations effectively. The strategic deployment of Types 3 and 6 engines, along with tactical tenders, forms the backbone of this effort, aiding local agencies in their mission to contain fires and safeguard communities.

The funding for this initiative was secured through Senate Bill 762, Oregon’s comprehensive wildfire legislation passed in 2021. This bill, championed by the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, underscores four key principles to ensure fair and equitable distribution of resources:

Statewide Distribution: Focusing on local initial attack capabilities, regional mutual aid, and conflagration response needs.
Infrastructure and Long-Term Maintenance: Providing necessary infrastructure for the ongoing protection and maintenance of firefighting assets.
Consideration of Recent Apparatus Awards: Taking into account recent legislative funding allocations for firefighting apparatus.
Staffing Capability: Ensuring that recipient agencies have the capacity to effectively staff the awarded apparatus.

As part of the program, recipient agencies, including Jackson County Fire District 1, enter into a contractual partnership with the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM). This partnership aims to strengthen local, regional, and state response capacities, enhancing Oregon’s overall firefighting capabilities.

The new apparatus arrives fully equipped in accordance with the 2022 Oregon Fire Service Mobilization Plan, specifically designed for wildland-urban interface scenarios. The equipment, which includes hoses and nozzles, becomes the property of the recipient agency, provided they maintain it as specified in the mobilization plan. Agencies can request modifications to the apparatus to meet specific needs, with approved modifications funded by the recipient agency.

The OSFM Engine Program is a key component of the Response Ready Oregon initiative, which is dedicated to increasing capacity and modernizing wildfire response within the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS).

With the integration of the new Type 6 engine, Jackson County Fire District 1 is poised to deliver enhanced fire response services, providing greater protection to the Rogue River region. This addition underscores the district’s ongoing commitment to protecting the community from the increasing threat of wildfires.

Other metro fire agencies receiving OSFM engines are the Medford Rural Fire Protection District Jacksonville Fire Department, Ashland Fire Department, and Jackson County Fire District 3