South Shore Fire Station Project

November 14, 2024 - At their second regular meeting, South Shore Fire Station Task Force members explored two significant questions:

1. Does the City need four fire stations to provide adequate community coverage?
2. If so, is Station 212 in the optimal location?

Task force members spent considerable time analyzing data, including national and local response time guidelines and standards, predictability of patient outcome and survivability based on first paramedic on scene times, fire growth based on the arrival time of the first engine on scene, historical incident response data, and impediments encountered including traffic and topography.  After much consideration, the task force members concluded that the City does need four fire stations to ensure all community members receive equitable service.  Asked to build the case, members identified eight reasons for keeping a station in the southeast quadrant of Lake Oswego:

• Four stations are necessary to maintain the Department's high standard of service (rapid response times).
  • Even marginally longer response times reduces survivability in critical medical incidents (heart attacks) and exponentially increases damage in fire incidents.
  • The projected response times without 212 would likely render the Fire Department unable to fulfill the terms of their contract with Clackamas County and AMR, leading to a significant reduction in Department revenue.
  • Slower response times may also lower Lake Oswego’s Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating, which could lead to higher insurance rates for all residents.
• For serious incidents, in which multiple apparatus are dispatched, redundancy in the response network is a vital asset.  The loss of this level of coverage would render the network less effective.
• In the event of a major disaster, Station 212 mitigates hazards that could otherwise isolate the southeast segment of the City (bridges, railroad crossings, landslide-prone topography).
• As the only civic hub in the neighborhood, this fire station serves as a natural point of community refuge and/or reunification.
• Closing this station would lead to minimal operational savings, as the Department would likely up-staff at other stations while phasing-out positions through retirements.
• Maintaining four stations supports current and future growth on the south side of the lake, both high-density residential development and the opening of new day-time draws (Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatic Center and Rassekh Park).
• The Station 212 Fire Management Area includes two senior facilities that generate a higher volume of calls.  Shifting this coverage to adjacent stations would stretch their capacity and response times.
• This station houses the Fire Department’s rescue boat.  There is not another city-owned facility with the ability to house the boat and provide similar proximity to both Oswego Lake and the Willamette River.

Members then shifted their focus to the second question, building a list of criteria by which to evaluate alternative sites.  Staff will present alternative site consderations at the next task force meeting, along with current site specifications.

All materials from the Task Force's secondmeeting, including the agenda packet, slide decks, handouts, meeting recording, and minutes (once approved), are available here.

LOF Drive Time - Four Stations

LOFD Drive Time - Three Station Hypothetical

October 1, 2024 - The City Council approved the appointment of eighteen members to the South Shore Fire Station Task Force (Resolution 24-39).  This group includes eight members selected at-large (two youth, six adult), as well as representatives from the following groups:

• McVey-South Shore Neighborhood Association
• Palisades Neighborhood Association
• Hallinan Neighborhood Association
• Mary's Woods
• Lake Grove Fire District
• Chamber of Commerce
• City DEI Advisory Board
• City Sustainability Advisory Board
• City Budget Committee

City Councilor Trudy Corrigan will serve as the City Council's liaison to the Task Force.  Lieutenant Jonathan Isbell will represent the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1159.

Members will hold their first meeting on Thursday, October 24^th.

February 20, 2024 - City Council instructs staff to "begin a needs assessment and community engagement process to rebuild the South Shore Fire Station."

Grouped under the City Council Goal to "strengthen public trust in the City through continuous improvement, outstanding customer service, infrastructure investments, and fiscal stewardship," this initiative directs City staff to conduct a complete project analysis and recommend action to the City Council.

See the complete list of 2024 City Council Goals here:  www.ci.oswego.or.us/citycouncil/2024-city-council-goals