OREGON — The trustees of the Oregon Fire Protection District have announced plans for a $4.1 million renovation and expansion of the current fire station on Washington Street, located next to the river. This project, slated to begin in late spring pending city approval and financing, will significantly enhance the district’s capabilities without requiring any additional property tax levy.
Originally built in 1984 by Charles Mongan for an all-volunteer fire department, the current station has seen a decline in volunteers over time. In 2014, the district began providing ambulance services, transitioning to a combination department of paid full-time and volunteer staff. The district presently employs nine full-time members, working in three shifts with three members per shift. These shifts follow a 24-hour on, 48-hour off schedule. The station was not designed with living space, so the district has converted main floor office space into sleeping rooms.
Over the last 40 years, fire apparatus has increased in both height and length, and the current space does not meet the needs of modern apparatus. Two separate buildings are used to house equipment. The new addition will consolidate these into one, increasing efficiency and decreasing response times when seconds count, which can make a difference in saving lives and property.
To consolidate resources, the district sold the unused Chana Fire Station, generously donated by the Canfield Family, and plans to sell the old ambulance building on Madison Street, generously donated by Oregon Ambulance Services. These donations have served the district well over the years, but the time has come to expand and consolidate all equipment into one station from which the district responds to all emergency calls. The yearly call volume exceeds 1,200, mostly ambulance calls, which averages three per day. This high demand necessitates the expansion to accommodate two Advanced Life Support ambulances and provide housing for the full-time firefighter/paramedics.
The expansion will nearly double the size of the existing station and feature an engineered metal frame structure with a brick front designed to seamlessly integrate with the current building. Key elements of the project include four additional apparatus bays, a new office area, and living and sleeping quarters for the dedicated firefighter/paramedics.
Volunteers remain vital contributors to the Oregon Fire Protection District team, and the Oregon Fire Protection District encourages interested individuals to apply.
This project requires Oregon City Council approval of a variance from Oregon City Code 32.20.110, which pertains to the River Front Commercial District newly adopted in 2016. Under this code, the current use (fire station) and the proposed addition to the structure will be considered non-conforming in the event of a major reconstruction of the station. Therefore, the district will seek a variance for special use as well as allowance of a non-conforming addition.
A public hearing will be conducted in front of the Oregon Planning Commission for the special use permit and variance application and will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2025, at Oregon City Hall.
The Trustees governing the Oregon Fire Protection District are President Steven Carr, Treasurer Lora Stevens McKee, and Secretary Rich Rhoads. These trustees are appointed by the Ogle County Board and serve three-year terms. The Oregon Fire Protection Chief is Michael Knoup.
