MCFD#1 HISTORY

Marion County Fire District #1 has a rich history. Like most fire departments, it started on the backs of dedicated citizens that found a need to protect their families, friends and businesses from fire. The district was formed in 1968 with the merging of the Brooks Rural Fire District and the Four Corners Rural Fire District. Since that time it has grown to include stations at Four Corners (1), Middle Grove (2), Pratum(3), Macleay(4), Brooks(5) Clear Lake(6), Labish Center(7) and the Chemeketa Fire Station (8). The District covers approximately 88.5 square miles.

The tax rate for the district is currently 1.9045 per $1,000 AV, with an added capital improvement bond set to end in 2008 for a total tax rate of 2.4201 per $1000.

Since the fire district's inception, much of the area that was once sparsely populated farmland is now divided into sprawling housing complexes and businesses. There are currently an estimated 50,000 citizens living within the MCFD#1 boundaries. The rapid increase in population has forced the district to experience many growing pains. The challenges that it has faced include increased call volume, increased numbers of paid personnel, the need for newer and larger equipment, and higher demands for training. The district currently employs 33 paid staff; however, like many departments the backbone of the district remains the 100 or so dedicated volunteers that selflessly donate their time to protect their community. The district provides fire/rescue response from eight fire stations, handling about 5,000 calls each year.

The district has adopted a “paramilitary” command model that is headed by the Fire Chief and governed by an elected five member Board of Directors. The district provides 24 hour advanced life support ambulance service to an area slightly larger than it’s fire protection boundaries, as well as backup ambulance to surrounding areas.

The District also has an inter-governmental agreement with Chemeketa Commuinity College who operates the Regional Training Facility located in Brooks, Or. This $4 million facility is designed to provide state of the art training for all types of firefighting, rescue situations, underwater, underground, confined space, and high angle rescue, hazmat training, emergency driving, and more.

From humble beginnings and financial hardship, Marion County Fire District #1 has endured to become a strong valuable force in the communities that it serves. If the effectiveness of a fire department is best measured by how well it protects citizens, how efficiently its finances are used, and how much it's members care for the community, then MCFD#1 has much to be proud of. In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on discovering what the public expects from the district and what their level of satisfaction is with the services they receive. A recent survey showed an overall approval rating of 99.3%. These results clearly reflect the effort that the district has made to provide the best possible service to the community and to ensure that customer satisfaction is among the highest of its priorities. It is obvious that the citizens of the district trust and value the services of Marion County Fire District #1. It is equally obvious that this great fire district would not exist without the dedication and sacrifice of the many individuals who care.