South Lane County Fire & Rescue: SLCFR Budget Committee.

South Lane County Fire & Rescue (SLCFR) provides fire and EMS serves to 132 square mile based on voter approved taxing rates, levies, and bonds equaling $1.80/$1000. The current voter approved permanent and levied rate is $1.50/$1000 of assessed property value, including a house and five acres within the District’s boundaries. The District further provides advanced life support ambulance service to an area totaling 850 square miles. The area outside the District’s 132 square mile area does not provide tax revenue. The District operates from four fire stations and staffs the Cottage Grove and Creswell stations 24/7, with a combination of career/resident and community volunteer personnel. The District is managed by the Fire Chief who reports directly to the five member elected Board of Directors. All other District personnel report to the Fire Chief utilizing a chain of command.

The District is seeking qualified individuals with an interest in the success of the District to fill current vacancies on the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is appointed by the SLCFR Board of Directors. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be an elector, or a property owner within the district. While any person meeting the requirements may submit an application to the Board of Directors, preference for appointment to the Budget Committee may be given to those residing within the District’s taxing boundaries. 

Interested persons should submit a completed Budget Committee Member Application to the SLCFR Board of Directors by 5:00PM Monday February 13, 2018. The Board will be scheduling a work session to consider applications for some time in March. Candidates will be notified by mail and/or email of the work session time and place. Applications can be requested by phone at 541-942-4493, email: info@southlanefire.org, or in person at the headquarters station 233 Harrison Avenue, Cottage Grove, OR 97424. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Submit completed application to:  South Lane County Fire & Rescue Attn: Chief Wooten  233 E. Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove, OR 97424  Fax: 541-942-3367  Office: 541-942-4493

South Lane County Fire and Rescue will be holding a Work Session regarding the Creswell Fire Station on Thursday December 21, 2017 starting at 6:00pm. A Regular Board meeting will follow directly after.

This meeting will be held at the Cottage Grove Fire Station located at 233 E. Harrison Ave Cottage Grove OR 97424.

Five years ago, you approved a five-year local option levy. Thank you!

Levy Summary:

Measure 20-278 proposes renewing a 5 year local option levy at a rate of $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed value to be used for District Operations. If the measure is renewed the District will be able to maintain it’s current staffing and operations capability crucial to the newly acquired ISO rating of 2/4/10W.

A yes vote would:
• Maintain 24/7 staffing at the Cottage Grove and Creswell fire stations.
• Keep 24/7 paramedic ambulance service.
• Prevent the loss of up to nine firefighter/paramedic positions.
• Keep home and business insurance costs down due to the current ISO protection ratings.
• Keep response times to your emergencies down.
• Enhance fire and EMS capabilities to keep you safe.

SLCF&R Facts:
 District staff respond to about 4,000 calls for help every year.
 The District serves an area of about 132 square miles.
 The District provides ambulance service to 800 square miles.
 The District operates 4 fire stations; 2 are operated 24 hours a day.
 The District has the second lowest permanent tax rate in Lane County for a Fire District.
 The District employs a total staff of 25 full time employees and 20 reserve (volunteers) and resident personnel.

Q: Does South Lane County Fire & Rescue provide Fire and EMS (Ambulance Service)?
A:Yes, SLCFR is staffed with dual trained firefighter/paramedics. Both Cottage Grove and Creswell stations are staffed 24/7.

Q: Is this a new tax?
A: No, this is a renewal at .47 per $1,000 of your homes assessed value.

Q: What happens if the measure does not pass?
A: Without the funding SLCFR would be forced to cut up to nine (9) positions and eliminate ambulance service.

Q: What if I have questions?”
A: Feel free to attend a monthly fire district meeting, or contact our business office at 541-942-4493.

Illegal Burn Complaints: 
If you would like to file a complaint for illegal burning please contact LRAPA at 541-726-1930 or follow this link;

http://www.lrapa.org/…/Online-Comp…/Online-Complaint-Form-43