The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District is asking for voter support in May to fund new equipment. The District is also crafting a unique cross-agency relationship.
Sweet Home Fire is signing a contract with the U.S. Forest Service to fund a local fuels-reduction team. Fire Chief Nick Tyler said the Forest Service grant of about $1 million a year, guaranteed for two years, will be the seed money for a crew of 20, plus five staff. He said the bond would cover the costs of a chipper and two wild-land fire engines.
Tyler told KLCC the arrangement with the Forest Service will go forward regardless of whether the bond passes. If the bond fails, he said, the district would need to utilize some of that Forest Service money to buy equipment.