The Hoodland Fire District (HFD) has received funds from Clackamas County
and will shortly begin the process to hire an architect and general contractor
to renovate the Government Camp fire station, according to Fire Chief Mic
Eby.

Eby noted the funds total approximately $570,000, but he anticipates using
some contingency funds for the project. Eby is optimistic to get work started
by this winter.

“I’d love to have a shell done by the end of summer so we can put our
equipment back in there,” he said.

The renovated station will feature the same building footprint, but add
another story. The downstairs area will feature bays for fire equipment, with
the upstairs offering rooms for sleeping and office space.

Eby noted the biggest cost for the renovation will be adding an elevator or lift
to meet ADA requirements.

He said the current plan is to install a smaller lift that holds one wheelchair,
instead of a full eight-foot square elevator.

“That looks like the direction we’re going to go,” Eby said, noting the reduced
cost compared to a full elevator.

The Government Camp station is expected to have a full rescue rig in the near
future, too, after the district receives a new one in late April (the new one will
be housed at the main station, while one currently in use at the main station
will be transferred to Government Camp). Currently, the Government Camp
station features a duty rig with medical equipment on it.

Eby added that the district’s main station in Welches will likely be a candidate
to be replaced in future years.

More fire news
Eby reported that he is expecting a hot and dry summer and that district
responders have already started training, including more training and at
higher levels for the district’s volunteers.

The district already received its first brush fire call of the year on April 19 –
not to mention the Golden Poles Fire of April 21.

Eby added that burn season may close earlier than June 1 this year, as the
determination is based on conditions throughout the state and some areas are
already claiming drought.

“I’m pushing people to get their burning done early,” Eby said. “I think
everybody is conscientious, (when we) put the red flag warning, everybody
understands.”

The district is now part of a county-wide program, PulsePoint, an app on
smart phones that notifies people who are trained in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) and registered through the app when someone nearby is
having a cardiac emergency and may need help.

The free app will also direct people to the location of the closest publicly
accessible Automated External Defibrillator.

Eby plans on having information on the program available soon at the
district’s main station, 69634 Highway 26 in Welches.