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Rogue River fire district plans for levy funds By Buffy Pollock ROGUE RIVER � To Rogue River rural firefighters, Christmas came on Election Day. Since voters approved a $948,928 bond on Nov. 7, Rogue River Rural Fire District firefighters have been making up a wish list of features they hope to include on the three fire trucks they�ll buy once the money becomes available July 1. The bond also will pay for a firefighter-emergency medical technician, the district�s 11th paid position. Fire Chief Greg Winfrey said firefighters were relieved they would soon be getting new equipment. "We�re pleased the voters supported this," he said. Over the five years it will take to repay the bond, district residents will pay a tax of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Currently the district operates with three fire trucks with high mileage and reliability and safety problems. On one occasion, firefighters were forced to watch a house burn because the engine could not make it up a hill. The new trucks, Winfrey said, will be able to handle all types of terrain. Capt. Dean Martin said being unable to get water to a fire because a truck couldn�t get up a hill was just a reality the district was lucky it didn�t face more often. "There are a lot of driveways out there we can�t get to and we just happened to have a fire at one of them," he said. In addition to being able to save more houses, Martin said the department will worry "less about repairs and maintenance and spend more time on training." Winfrey said he wanted to have design "specs" ready and bids reviewed to get the best possible deal as well as have equipment on the road as soon as possible. Winfrey said the trucks could take six to eight months to manufacture. The new trucks should have service lives of up to 20 years. The trucks to be replaced include a 1968 International water tender with more than 500,000 miles; a 1972 Ford fire engine incapable of passing required tests for pumping capabilities and unable to access certain roads due to lack of power; and a 1985 GMC wildland fire engine. All three will be able to carry water into rural areas. "I think it�s awesome. It�s nice to know our community has enough confidence in us to buy us new equipment," said firefighter Mark Northrop. "It means they think we�re doing a good job and now we can keep doing a good job. It will sure be a welcome relief from what we drive now." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.