Main Fire Station Replacement Project

Hoodland Needs a New Fire Station

A fire station with multiple bay doors, a vehicle, and forested hills in the background. — Photo Credit: Google Maps street view August 2024

The Hoodland Fire District Main Fire Station 351 must be replaced to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in our community. The current station has outlived its useful life and can no longer accommodate the modern needs of a fire station. Attempts to remodel are not feasible due to the limitations of the existing site.

Why Do We Need a New Fire Station?

The current Main Fire Station has several deficiencies that prevent it from meeting the needs of a growing, modern fire district:

Sleeping quarters — Current sleeping quarters are in a temporary mobile unit behind the station that doesn't have a bathroom.

Hazardous Materials: The building contains cancer-causing asbestos and other hazardous materials, putting the health and safety of our firefighters at risk.
Poor Ventilation: There is no proper system to vent fire engine exhaust, exposing firefighters to harmful diesel exhaust and airborne contaminants associated with emergency response.
Sleeping Quarters: The existing station lacks adequate sleeping quarters for firefighters, who are currently forced to sleep in a trailer behind the station, which affects overall response times and operational efficiency.
Decontamination Challenges: There is no dedicated space for firefighters to properly decontaminate their clothing and gear after emergency responses, increasing health risks, including cancer, due to exposure to hazardous substances.
Limited Facilities: The building lacks sufficient showers and bathrooms to accommodate both current and future personnel.
Site Limitations: The current site is too narrow for any significant expansion or remodeling. The building would not survive a major earthquake, which could be critical when the community needs emergency services the most.
ADA Compliance: The building does not meet the current ADA code requirements, limiting access and usability for those with disabilities.

The Proposed Solution: A New Fire Station

To address these critical issues, Hoodland Fire District (HFD) is proposing a new location for Main Fire Station 351 at the former site of the Dorman Center/Hoodland Community Park. This new station will provide the facilities and space necessary to keep our firefighters safe, support their work, and improve overall response times to emergencies.

The new station will include:

Proper sleeping and living quarters for firefighters
A modern ventilation system to remove exhaust and harmful contaminants
Dedicated spaces for gear decontamination to minimize health risks
Adequate bathroom and shower facilities for current and future staff
A building that meets current seismic and ADA requirements, ensuring it is safe, accessible, and able to withstand natural disasters.

Project Background

Hoodland Fire District #74 serves a vital role in protecting both residents and wildlife within the rural 45-square-mile area between Sandy and Mount Hood in Clackamas County. The District provides fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, technical rescue, and hazardous materials response to a community that includes 6,000 full-time residents and 15,000 seasonal residents.

HFD’s dedicated team of 11 career and 30 volunteer personnel respond to over 1,000 emergency calls each year, ensuring the safety of the community year-round.

HFD currently operates from three separate stations. Replacing Main Fire Station 351 is critical to maintaining a safe, functional, and efficient facility for our emergency responders and to continue providing the level of service our growing community deserves.

Funding the New Fire Station

The proposed replacement of Main Fire Station 351 will be funded through a general obligation bond if it is approved by voters in the May 2025 election. In addition, Clackamas County has generously donated the land for the new site, and HFD is actively pursuing other funding sources, such as grants, to help offset the bond amount and ensure the success of this vital project.