For Immediate Release
April 17, 2025
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Wood Village, Troutdale, Fairview, & Gresham City Managers Agree to One-Year Contract Extension for Fire & Emergency Services
Following months of discussions, the City Managers of Wood Village, Troutdale, and Fairview have reached an agreement with Gresham’s City Manager to extend the current contract for fire and emergency services for one year, with the agreement ending June 30, 2026. This decision is currently pending approval from each city’s Council.
This one-year extension comes following discussions at a three-city Council meeting of Wood Village, Troutdale, & Fairview held on April 9, 2025, to explore a long-term approach in how fire and emergency services are provided to the three cities. At the meeting, a ten-year contract with Gresham was presented, as well as a proposal from Clackamas Fire District #1. Each Council directed that staff explore the proposal from Clackamas Fire District, while also welcoming and encouraging Gresham’s continued participation and collaboration on the region’s fire and life safety needs.
“While transitioning into a fire district is the long-term goal of our three cities, stable emergency services is our first priority,” said Wood Village City Manager Greg Dirks. “We are very thankful to the City of Gresham and Gresham Fire for their decades of service to our Cities, and appreciate them working with us to ensure our communities are safe and protected while we pursue this transition.”
Following extensive financial and service model review, the Cities of Wood Village, Troutdale, and Fairview have determined that consolidating into a fire district is ultimately the best way to ensure fire and emergency services for the communities are provided in a way that is financially sustainable for each of the cities and its residents, and that services meet national standards.
Oregon has seen the growing risk of wildfires in recent years and the Cities of Wood Village, Troutdale, and Fairview collectively recognize the need to expand the long-term capacity of its emergency response system – and account for rising costs. While the overall costs of providing fire and emergency services are continuing to grow, the Cities have determined that transitioning to a Fire District is more financially sustainable long term and will allow them to invest directly into fire protection assets, like fire trucks and centralized stations, that will serve residents for decades.
Many cities across the region have consolidated to the fire district model for fire and emergency service. Clackamas Fire District #1 was formed in 1976 based on a merger between the former Milwaukie Fire Protection District #56 and Multnomah County Fire District #12. Since then, Happy Valley Fire District #65, Clackamas Fire District #71, Clackamas Fire District #54, Beavercreek Fire District #55, Oak Lodge Fire District #51, Clarkes Fire District #68, and Boring Fire District #59 have all joined Clackamas Fire, as well as Damascus, Milwaukie, and Oregon City.