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A Message from the Fire Chief

In May of 2008, voters formed the Three Rivers Rural Fire Protection District. As a fire district, the fire department became eligible to receive grants, donations and surplus equipment. Since that time, the fire department has received nearly $80,000 in grants. We received grants for new Wildland water supply equipment including new hoses, pump and portable tanks. We have received surplus equipment including of 2 heavy 6x6 brush engines, a water rescue boat, a Basic Life Support – Support staff vehicle and over $1500.00 in donations. These grants and equipment has made it possible to increase our level of fire protection as well as the emergency services which the fire department provides to our community.

In 2009 the call volume was double that of previous years. Our medical response times averaged just 8 minutes. All Wildland fire starts were held to less than 1 acre. Our training levels have increased overall. Our volunteers have spent hundreds of hours
in training both fire, rescue, and emergency medical training. This summer we will have five EMT’s volunteering on shifts both during the week and on weekends. Our firefighters will continue to track and monitor lightning strikes in order to continue to
catch them small.

The fire district is off to a great start and we have begun to plan for the future. With this growth, the anticipated future growth and the desire to continually improve our service level to the community, the district has begun the planning process of building a new fire station. The new station would be built utilizing federal dollars, various grants and private donations. The process has begun with the land owners of Three Rivers Landowners association voting to grant the Fire District 3.23 acres on Graham Rd. Now that the district has the land, we can begin to look for funding. This overall process may take some time depending upon the amount of grant dollars and private donations we can attract.

If you have any question or concerns about your new fire district, I am always available. Please call me at 541-771-0992 or email don@threeriversfire.org

Don Colfels,
Fire Chief