 Proudly Protecting 20,000 People in a 140 Sq. Mile Area of Southern Oregon7 Full Time Employees • Approx. 40 Volunteers • 6 Fire Stations |
The Illinois Valley Fire District would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone for allowing us to protect our firefighters while serving the citizens of our beautiful valley. We know that during these economically challenged times that every penny counts and we are truly blessed from your sacrifice and generosity to fund this equipment levy over the next five years. Thank You!
Your Vote
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Our SCBA’s (which allow firefighters to enter smoke-filled buildings) are reaching the end of their lifespan. The air bottles are no longer serviceable and many of the face masks are failing repeatedly while firefighters are inside buildings fighting fires. Our air compressor that we use to fill our cascade bottles, can no longer produce sufficient pressure to fill the bottles to capacity, reducing the amount of air available during incidents. Also, NFPA is looking into disallowing these units for fire fighting purposes.
Our PPE’s (turnout jackets and trousers, gloves, boots, etc.) provide protection for us, but they wear out from repeated exposure to extreme environments.
The FCC has mandated that by January 1, 2013 our radios operate on narrow band frequency. Our aging radios do not meet the requirements—your tax levy dollars will be used to replace them.| Assessed Value |
Cost |
| $75,000 | $18.75 per year |
| $100,000 | $25.00 per year |
| $125,000 | $31.25 per year |
| $150,000 | $37.50 per year |
| $200,000 | $50.00 per year |
| $300,000 | $75.00 per year |
What is the assessed value of my property?
Your Assessed property value is available online at the Josephine County Assessor's Office - Assessment and Taxation Online
- In the search box enter your address--number and street name only (no extensions like Ave., St., Way, etc.)
- CLICK SEARCH BUTTON
- Click on the printable version of your search results.
The Real Story
as written by Harry Rich, Fire Chief for the
ILLINOIS VALLEY RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
MEASURE 17.42
The Illinois Valley Rural Fire Protection District is made up of approximately 85% volunteers and four full time fire suppression certified employees, most all of the department members live and work in the Illinois Valley. Our fire department that was founded by local citizens in 1954 is still being run by local community representatives. In the beginning the fire department was solely financially supported by property owners living in the Illinois Valley. Today that is the same funding source for your fire service “our local property owners in the Valley”. Since 1954 your fire department has been staffed by local community members. Your fire department does not depend on O&C funding or any other state or federal taxes.
A number of years ago and especially after September 11, Federal Grant monies have been made available to public service agencies “police and fire”, writing a better needy story than that of thousands of other agencies bidding for the same funds. We have been extremely lucky receiving Grant funds that allowed us to purchase a new water tender in 2006, firefighters protective clothing for one third ( 1/3 ) of the department, in 2005 and a small grant for a limited amount of hand held radios in 2006.
Our fire department has some talented grant writers. Other agencies employee one or more professional grant writers. For the last three years we have written three (3) separate grant requests for the vital SCBA’s ( self contained breathing apparatus ), PPE’s ( Personal Protective Equipment ) and the now required approved commercial homeland security radios. For the last three years our grants were accepted, but the funds ran out before our grant could be funded. Our grants failed due to federal funding limits, not the writing abilities.
SCBA’s Breathing Apparatus
The Illinois Valley Fire District’s current self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) which allow firefighters to enter smoke filled buildings for fire victim search and rescue are reaching the end of their lifespan.
This equipment is seventeen (17) years old and the air bottles are no longer serviceable for use. These low pressure air bottles can no longer be pressure tested or certified. A significant liability if one fails with no certification, civil and criminal.
Many of our SCBA face masks are failing repeatedly during use while firefighters are inside burning buildings either searching for victims or fighting fire. The rubber hoses and face piece is cracking & leaking
Our air filling compressor can no longer produce sufficient pressures to fill our air bottles to their capacity.
Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is researching the continued safety use of low- pressure systems and the limited amount of working time. The new high pressure air bottles allow firefighters more inside working time allowing for safer victim searches and firefighting.
FIREFIGHTER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
PPE’s
Our personal protective equipment has reached its useable life expectancy and will no longer meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for firefighting safety apparel. According to (NFPA) 1851, structural firefighting turnouts need to be in good condition and no older than ten years old from the date of manufacture. The harsh elements and products of combustion in today’s structure fires cause this protective equipment to wear out compromising firefighter lives and safety if not replaced.
Approximately 5 years ago we successfully received a partial replacement of our badly worn out protective equipment after writing a grant requesting all 44 replacements. Again the award was partial and we received 15 sets. Now over half of our PPE’s are out of compliance date, torn or just worn out.
RADIOS “ Narrow Banding”
Our emergency department communication radios ( handheld & mobile ) will soon be out of compliance with the FCC "Federal Communication Commissions" mandate starting on January 1, 2013.
Our radio replacement grant submitted this year again made it through the review and approval process but again federal funds ran out before they reached our requests. We also pursued this grant for the last three years.
Additionally, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has mandated that all governmental agencies switch over their radio communications to narrow band frequencies no later than January 1, 2013. The Illinois Valley Fire District has a few radios, that are capable of operating in narrow band with the majority of our radios needing to be replaced in order to meet the FCC’s standards. Without these radios we will not be able to communicate effectively with the 911 dispatch center or any other agencies responding to our request for help on major fire incidents.
If approved by the voters our levy will provide sufficient revenue to replace:
- Our failing SCBA emergency air, our failing low pressure air compressor. Will allow us to purchase and replace our worn-out and non- compliant safety equipment "PPE's" that protects our firefighters from the injurious and deadly components that burn in today's structure fires.
- Allow us to continue our hazardous fire victim search and rescue tasks and internal fire attack. Personally knowing the members of our fire department, if a person or loved family pet is trapped or un-accounted for at a fire, I am quite sure one or more of our firefighters would attempt to enter the burning structure, whether they have appropriate fire protection equipment on or not. I certainly don't advocate this action but this is the dilemma our fire department is facing.
- The monies generated from this measure will be specifically used for the Illinois Valley Fire District's equipment as outlined in this document No funds will be used for personnel or any other operational cost. Only your Valley's fire service will receive and use these funds.
ACTUAL EXAMPLE OF PROPOSED TAXES
A parcel or property that is taxed for fire protection will be taxed at $0.25 per $1000.00 of assessed value.
A home assessed value by the county is set at $150,000.00 x $0.25% = $ 37.50 / per year and that tax will end at the end of the 5th year. This levy will expire at the end of the fifth ( 5 ) year No extensions.
Please remember All money raised through this Levy, will be spent on the purchase of protection equipment and will solely benefit the Illinois Valley Fire District firefighters safety. I am available to answer any and all questions posed to me or my staff.
Harry Rich
Thank you;
Harry Rich, Fire Chief
Illinois Valley Fire District
Phone # is 541 592 2225
Measure 17.42
Tuesday
May 15, 2012
*I M P O R T A N T B U R N I N G R E Q U I R E M E N T S*
1. Burning must be conducted under the constant supervision of a person capable of taking active action.
2. Charged garden hose or shovel and rake are required at the burn site.
3. Burn barrels and burn piles must have the vegetation cleared from around them to prevent the spread of fire.
4. Burn piles greater then 4 foot wide, by 4 foot deep, and over 4 foot in height shall have a permit.
5. Permit must be available at the burn site.
6. The distance to the nearest structure or combustibles shall be greater than 50 feet and in a safe location.
7. Any of burning of Rubber products, Tires, Plastic, Garbage, Wire insulation, Automobile parts, Petroleum and petroleum-treated materials, Asphalt, Asbestos or industrial waste, Clothing, Mattress, Couches, Stuffed chairs, Any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors, Animal remains or animal or vegetable matter which normally emits dense smoke or noxious odors is PROHIBITED by DEQ, and can result in fines by DEQ of up to $10,000 per day. The Illinois Valley Fire District will charge a minimum of $250 for extinguishment of illegal open burns.
8. Only burning of debris, land clearing material, construction sites, or slash is permitted.
9. Burning is allowed during daylight hours only, and the attendant shall insure that the fire is completely burned down to coals or extinguished prior to dark.
10. Fire must be extinguished if conditions develop which would cause the fire to spread (i.e. wind, brands or embers, etc.), or reasonable smoke complaints from neighbors.
11. No burning will be allowed during Fire Season. Fire Season is determined by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Before burning call 541-592-2121--The recorded message will specify burning regulations for that day.
View the 2011 update / View the 2005 plan
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has determined the following Public Protection Classifications for the Illinois Valley:
Structures Serviced By a Hydrant System:
- If the structure you are insuring is within 1,000 ft. of a fire hydrant, it has an ISO PPC rating of 5. Hydrant systems are located in the City of Cave Junction and the Kerby Water District.
Structures Not Serviced By a Hydrant System:
- ISO PPC rating of 7, if located within 5 road miles of one of our stations.
- ISO PPC rating of 10, if located beyond 5 road miles of one of our stations.
SIZE & AGE APPROPRIATENESS
Schedule a Free Car Seat Checkup • Call IVFD @ 541-592-2225
Each seat takes about 30 minutes to check but the peace of mind will last for days!
