Fire in Wood Village
Published October 2024
As part of the work evaluating our current and future fire and emergency medical services, the City is seeking feedback on your overall experience with our current fire and medical emergency services. The survey will be used as part of the larger research and evaluation of options. The survey is available now through the end of November and should take about ten minutes to complete. Taking a few minutes to complete the survey could shape the future of this critical service for decades to come.
Take the SurveyFire in Wood Village
Published September 2024
In our last newsletter, we talked about how the cities of Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village agreed on a scope of work to select a consultant to evaluate fire and emergency service options. The City has awarded this work to AP Triton, which is known for its extensive experience and innovative approach, and will guide us through assessing our current and future needs. AP Triton has worked with cities and agencies from all over the country, and we’re excited to be partnering with them on this effort.
The project is now underway, with an initial focus on data collection. As we move forward, we will be reaching out for stakeholder input and planning a community-wide survey. While we don’t have specific dates for these activities yet, we encourage you to stay informed by regularly checking our website and following us on Facebook.
We anticipate the project will be completed by early Spring 2025, just ahead of our current contract expiration with Gresham Fire, which expires on July 1st, 2025. Our goal is to use this evaluation to negotiate a potential short-term renewal with Gresham Fire, and to have a comprehensive plan for long-term, high-quality, cost-effective, and efficient fire and emergency services.
Please keep an eye on our website, social media, and upcoming newsletters for updates and opportunities to engage in this important process.
Fire in Wood Village
Published July 2024
We have a big update in our series of articles related to the future of fire and emergency medical services. On June 17th, the Mayors and Councilors of the cities of Wood Village, Troutdale, and Fairview met to discuss the important parts of a feasibility study. The City Councils agreed that this study will need to identify opportunities for improving service delivery and operational efficiencies across the three communities. It will also analyze current costs and explore the financial impacts of shared services, annexation, or new district formation. There will also be strategies to enhance emergency response times, meet current and future needs, and the overall service quality.
Firms are submitting proposals now, and the goal is to award the contract by the end of July. The actual work will then get underway in August. It is expected that the full study will take 9-12 months to complete. Through that process, there will be community interviews, town halls, and focus groups to hear from you and to learn more about your needs and concerns. The three cities will also be meeting at the end of summer to talk about short-term renewal options with the City of Gresham. The current contract with the City of Gresham for fire and emergency service ends July 1, 2025, and Gresham officials have indicated that there may be substantial cost increases for a renewal.
In summary, the cities are proactively planning for the future of emergency services through a comprehensive feasibility study, engaging the community in the process, and exploring potential collaborations to enhance service delivery and efficiency. Keep your eye on our website, social media, and newsletter for updates and opportunities to be involved in this process.
Fire in Wood Village
Published May 2024
As you may have read, Wood Village, and the cities of Fairview and Troutdale are exploring fire and medical emergency service provider options. It’s important to know that nothing is changing overnight, or even within a year. This is a multi-year effort, and we’ll be working together with you towards a cost-effective solution that meets the needs of our community.
A common question we have received is why are we looking at service provider options. The City has a number of contracts with other agencies and private businesses for a variety of services, and it’s our duty to help ensure that the community is receiving the best overall service and value. The current contract with the City of Gresham for fire and emergency service ends July 1, 2025, and Gresham officials have indicated that there may be substantial cost increases for a renewal. Another reason we’re looking at service options is how the service is currently delivered. Gresham’s fire and medical staff are well qualified and well trained. However, calls for service are treated the same. The problem with that approach is some calls need specially trained professionals and equipment quickly, while other calls could be handled with other well-trained medical professionals. Responding to all calls the same way is a very expensive way to deliver the service. Gresham management has not been willing to look at other options, and we do not have any say in its operations. We want to look at service providers, models, and options that can provide high-quality service, is responsive to our community’s needs, and gives us a seat at the table.
Another question we have heard is what are the next steps. Wood Village, as well as the cities of Fairview and Troutdale are working on this together. The three cities will be hiring consultants and professionals in fire and emergency response to help us determine realistic options, costs, and other critical components. We’ll also be asking for your help in this process as well. We need to know what’s important to you, what you need, and your concerns. Starting later this summer and into the fall, we’ll be scheduling open houses, town halls, and focus groups to hear from you and to learn more about your needs as we begin this process.
Again, we’re just beginning and no decisions have been made. Along with the future engagement activities mentioned, we’ll also be posting updates and information on our website, social media, and newsletter. Together, we’ll decide what’s best for our community. Until then, rest comfortably knowing that when you call 911 and need help, qualified and skilled help is coming. Whether it’s from Gresham Fire, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, or us! We’re here to help and serve you.