Four rural Oregon fire departments have voted to form a single, large agency through an Intergovernmental Agreement, which will begin July 1.
Representatives from East Umatilla County Rural Fire Protection District, Helix Rural Fire Protection District, Athena Volunteer Fire Department and East Umatilla County Ambulance Area Health District (Medic 400) voted Wednesday night to join forces, according to Chief Dave Baty with the East Umatilla County Rural Fire Protection District.
The decision still has to go back to the East Umatilla County Rural Fire Protection District & Rescue board on June 4, which will decide whether to sign off on the agreement, he said. That board consists of two people apiece from the East Umatilla district, Athena City Council, Helix Rural district, and Medic 400. “Everybody has recognized the value in this,” Baty said.