November 2, 2004

The Turner Fire District (TFD) serves approximately 42 square miles within Marion County. It is governed by an elected Board of Directors who are residents of the District. As elected officials, their responsibility is to represent the interests of the District residents by ensuring the highest level of fire and emergency medical services provided in the most cost-effective manner. District personnel (volunteer and paid) respond to a variety of fire, emergency medical and rescue-related emergencies from one Fire Station.

The Fire District asks the taxpayers of the district to carefully consider a 10 year local option levy for the specific purpose of improving personnel safety, equipment and services to the Fire District area.

What will your support cost?

The proposed rate of $.49 per $1,000 would result in an additional tax of $49 for a property valued at $100,000.

What will your support accomplish?

The projects listed below are important to the safety of our firefighters as well as the public we serve.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) allow firefighters to enter burning buildings and other hazardous atmospheres where they rescue victims, extinguish fires and mitigate hazards. TFD’s current SCBA equipment is too old (13-30 years), no longer meets state and federal safety standards and is failing to consistently provide the level of safety needed by our personnel and our community.

Structural firefighting apparel (bunker gear) of the District must be replaced/upgraded due to usage and elevated regulatory requirements. Further, the District does not have any remaining bunker gear in its inventory for new volunteer firefighters.

Replacing an aged ambulance is necessary to continue meeting the needs of the community.

Additionally, this measure will specifically fund:

1. Replacement of basic firefighting equipment such as ladders, hand tools, hoses and radio equipment that has reached its maximum useful life.

2. Certain vehicles within the fire apparatus fleet have outlived their useful life and are now both a financial and safety concern for our firefighters. These vehicles range in age, do not meet current safety standards and have a variety of concerning issues related to continued use by the Fire District.

3. The fire station requires a number of maintenance projects and upgrades that will extend its useful life. These include an ambulance bay, electrical and classroom upgrades, siding and roof maintenance, etc.

This measure would allow the District to come into compliance with state and federal safety requirements for firefighting.

The last tax bases were approved in 1994 and 1978 respectively.

Questions related to this initiative may be directed to Chief Kevin Henson by calling (503)-743-2190 or visiting the Fire District located at 7605 Third Street in Turner Oregon.

Thank you for your time and careful consideration.

Submitted by,

J. Kevin Henson, Fire Chief
Turner Rural Fire Protection District