Pacific County Fire District No

PACIFIC COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 1

INFORMATION BOOKLET

FOR

PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEERS

January 2008 Edition

MISSION STATEMENT

Pacific County Fire District 1 is dedicated to the protection of life and property by providing quality cost-effective customer service through fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical services, and public education for our community.

DISTRICT INFORMATION

Pacific County Fire District 1 provides fire service to approximately 30 square milesin SouthwestPacificCounty as well as basic life support and advanced life support emergency medical services.

The population varies depending on the season of the year, but year ‘round residents number approximately 6,500. The District’s assessed valueis approximately $1,057,551,069 billion.

Three elected Commissioners govern the District.

Commissioner Greg McLeod 665-3280

Commissioner Fred Hill642-4767

Commissioner Tom Downer665-5103

Board of Fire Commissioner meetings are held the second Tuesday

of every month beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The meetings rotate between Station 21-1 and 21-2.

The District is served by both volunteers and career staff. Administrative staff includes the Fire Chief, Division Chief of Training, Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services, District Secretary, Office Manager, and Administrative Assistant.

Three career staff are on shift 24 hours a day at Station 21-1 in OceanPark and two career staff are on duty at Station 21-2 in Seaview. The District employs a total of 24 staff, which includes a Maintenance Mechanic. There are approximately 35 active volunteers.

HISTORY OF PACIFIC COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 1

In 1937 a gentleman by the name of Charles Fitzpatrick was given a grant from the State of Washington to form a fire brigade to protect the timber and the grass lands on the Peninsula. With that grant, the OceanPark - Nahcotta Fire Department was formed.

The fire department was supported, not by tax dollars, but by donations. If the firefighters needed a piece of hose, they went from door to door to collect donations. The OceanPark - Nahcotta Fire Department built their first fire truck from an old Chevrolet flat bed truck, a culvert pipe, and a small air cooled pump. They were very proud of their fire truck. It was built with all volunteer funds and manpower. Fire protection districts were formed on March 1, 1939 when State Legislators passed laws that gave fire districts taxing authority. Pacific County Fire Protection District 1 was officially formed on October 7, 1940. The District bought its first commercially built fire truck in 1961 for a price of $19,000. Since then many changes have taken place as the OceanPark - Nahcotta Fire Department has evolved into Pacific County Fire Protection District 1.Today, the District cover approximately 30 square miles, has 24full-timecareer staff and approximately 35 volunteer members, both men and women, responding from two staffed stations and six satellite stations.

In the late 1970’s Fire District 1 began responding to calls for medical aid within the District. On June 1, 1998, Pacific County Fire District 1 began providing ambulance transportation service in the north end of the District and in June 2003, the District began providing ambulance transportation for the entire peninsula including all out-of-town transports. Effective, January 1, 2007, the District again began providing service only to those areas that lie within the boundaries of Pacific County Fire District 1. Career staff and volunteers respond to over 2,000 calls per year.The District's annual budget has grown from $650 in 1940 tomore than $2.4 million in 2008.

Pacific County Fire Protection District 1 has always been a very efficient entity and has always performed at a high level to provide the community with the best fire protection and medical aid service available. It is the duty of the Fire Chief, under the direction of the Commissioners, to lead the career staff and volunteer members in the daily functions of the District to keep operations running smoothly.

Pacific County Fire Protection District 1 is well respected by the residents of the community because of the quick response to fire and medical emergencies and the member’s eagerness to help those in need.

District volunteers have hosted a Halloween party for kids at the Ocean Park Station for over 20 years. District personnel have given their time in promoting Fire Prevention Week in October of each year at local schools.

Two programs that the District is very proud of are the "Life Safety Project" and the "People Saver Program". The Life Safety Project was started through a grant from the Templin Foundation. Reflective address signs, lockboxes, smoke detectors and a senior citizen safety guide are all aspects of this project. Personnel who are trained as instructors offer First Aid and CPR classes on a regular basis as part of the People Saver Program.

Skills in fire fighting and medical aid are maintained by "in house" training and attendance at other agency sponsored classes in both fire fighting and medical training. The District is also fortunate to be able to access the MERTS training center in Astoria where District members receive invaluable live fire training.

In 2007, Pacific County Fire District 1 was very fortunate to receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Homeland Security Fire Grant Act in the amount of $146,000. This grant will provide the funds for four years for the District’s newly formed Cadet and Volunteer Resident programs.

Being a volunteer means a significant commitment from the volunteer and requires the support of the member's family. The Commissioners have always kept the safety of all members of utmost importance in their decisions in the operation of the District. This is accomplished by providing adequate training and buying the best in fire protective gear and the best available equipment.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers are an integral part of the service provided by Pacific County Fire District 1 and are a valuable asset to the community. In making application to join the District as a volunteer, there are certain requirements that must be met.

Membership requirements

1. Must live or work within a reasonable response time to any District station.

1. Complete an application.

1. Pass a drug screen.

1. Provide copy of valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.

1. Complete an authorization to conduct a criminal background check and a driving record check.

1. Interview with the Fire Chief.

1. Attend an orientation and basic entry session.

1. You may attend weekly drills as an observer until all eligibility requirements have been met.

BENEFITS

Besides the personal satisfaction you will receive from providing a truly significant service to your fellow citizens and your community, and the camaraderie with fellow volunteer and career members, the following benefits are available to volunteer members.

1. Enrollment in the Volunteer Firefighters Relief and Pension program. This program is for active firefighters and medical personnel and provides protection for their families from death, sickness, injury or disability arising in the performance of their duties as firefighters; as well, as a retirement benefit.

1. The District provides a $10,000 life insurance policy for all active members at no cost to the member.

1. The District provides an accidental death and dismemberment policy for all active members at no cost to the member.

1. The District provides an Employee Assistance Program. An EAP is a confidential and professional assessment, counseling and referral service that will assist you and your family members in identifying and solving problems that may be affecting the quality of your life or job performance.

1. Participate in a volunteer reimbursement program. Earn points for attendance at training drills, responding to call, helping with community service projects, etc. and receive a reimbursement check in November of each year.

6.Training opportunities, which could lead to career opportunities for those who are

interested.

7.Attend Clatsop Community College Fire Science Program with acceptable grades and when off probation.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Besides fire and emergency medical service functions, there are several other volunteer opportunities with Pacific County Fire District 1. Each of these areas is an integral part of the services offered by the District.

Support Division

Individuals who do not wish to actively fight a fire are encouraged to be part of the Support Division. Team members may help out with administrative tasks or may respond to the scene of an incident to provide support services such as providing food and drink to the working crew, refilling air bottles, mop up, taking pictures, etc. Members of support services are required to attend First Aid/CPR training, passport accountability and incident command training so they are familiar with general fire department operations as well as fire ground operations.

First Aid/CPR Instructors

The District offers First Aid and CPR classes on a regular basis as part of their People Saver Program. Members interested in becoming instructors should contact the First Aid/CPR Coordinator.

Civic Opportunities

The District is well respected in the community and participates in numerous civic activities including the Fourth of July parade, Loyalty Day parade, fire prevention week activities, Rod Run, "Life Safety" project, guest speakers at various organization meetings, District open house, etc. In addition, the Pacific County Fire District 1 Firefighters Association sponsors an annual Halloween party. Volunteer help is also needed in these areas.

Pacific County Fire District 1 Firefighters Association

Membership as a volunteer with Fire District 1 automatically qualifies a member in the Firefighters Association The Association is a non-profit organization and is funded through community donations and grants. The Association reinvests the donations into the purchasing of life saving equipment, sponsorship of annual events such as the Halloween party for kids and Association banquet, and other activities that benefit the Association, District and the community as a whole.

As an Association member, members are encouraged to take part in the various short-term and long-term committees, Board activities, fund-raisers and other support actives geared toward furtherance of the Association and Fire District 1.