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 miles in
Southwest Pacific County 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 value is approximately
$1,057,551,069 billion.
Three elected Commissioners govern the District.
Commissioner Greg McLeod
Commissioner Fred Hill
Commissioner Tom Downer
665-3280
642-4767
665-5103
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 Ocean Park 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.
WEBSITE: www.pcfd1.org
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 Ocean Park - 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 Ocean Park 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 Ocean Park - Nahcotta Fire Department has evolved into Pacific County Fire
Protection District 1. Today, the District cover approximately 30 square miles, has 24 full-time
career 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 to more 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.
2.
Complete an application.
3.
Pass a drug screen.
4.
Provide copy of valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.
5.
Complete an authorization to conduct a criminal background check and a driving
record check.
6.
Interview with the Fire Chief .
7.
Attend an orientation and basic entry session.
8.
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.
2.
The District provides a $10,000 life insurance policy for all active members at no
cost to the member.
3.
The District provides an accidental death and dismemberment policy for all active
members at no cost to the member.
4.
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.
5.
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 shortterm and long-term committees, Board activities, fund-raisers and other support actives
geared toward furtherance of the Association and Fire District 1.