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Study: Medford needs more fire protection By Damian Mann Updated: Jun 07, 2022 06:42 PM A A Medford fire crews fight a blaze at Stewart Market last September. A new study commissioned by the city says Medford needs to expand its firefighting capabilities. [Mail Tribune / file photo] Three new fire stations and more manpower are needed to better protect Medford against disasters, according to a sweeping analysis that suggests overhauling and strengthening the city’s firefighting capabilities. The 197-page analysis prepared by Sacramento-based AP Triton Consulting Inc. recommends Medford fire merge with Fire District No. 2, which serves rural areas to the south of Medford, negotiate to take over firefighting at the airport and study merging with Jacksonville fire. Currently Medford fire has a contract with District No. 2 to respond to calls in that area. The population served by Medford fire is 96,707, though it also has agreements to respond to other fires in surrounding communities. Medford City Council at 6 p.m. Thursday will review the $38,000 report, potentially setting the stage for future council action, which could include raising the public safety fee by up to 1% to help pay to improve firefighting capabilities. The study session, which isn’t open for public comment, will be held at the Medford Police Station, in the Prescott Room, at 219 S. Ivy St. “We’re a small city that is becoming a large city, and it requires more resources,” said Mayor Randy Sparacino. He said he was looking forward to seeing what the fire department staff recommends to address the issues outlined in the report. A similar report is being prepared for the Medford Police Department as well, Sparacino said. In previous budget cycles, the city has cited the inability of revenues generated by public safety fees to keep pace with such expenses as adding more firefighter positions and debt service on the three newest fire stations. Triton found the fire department is understaffed, having 0.71 firefighters for every 1,000 residents, compared to 1.28 per 1,000 nationally and 1 per 1,000 regionally. “Those are all things I know the fire department is paying attention to,” said Sparacino. He said the issues raised in the report likely will take some time to address, particularly finding ways to pay for them. As the council debates a vast array of changes and better prepares for disasters, the city will soon enter what the report indicated is historically the busiest fire month of the year in July. The study found that vulnerable populations of children and the elderly are at risk from a fire emergency, pointing to the large number of child care centers and schools, as well as assisted living facilities in the city and the large number of disabled people. According to Triton, evacuations would be problematic for 19% of those over 65, 16% of the disabled and 6% of children. Medford has a higher percentage of elderly and disabled at risk than the state average. Language barriers also could pose problems during an evacuation. The highest risk for wildfires in Medford is to the east in the hills surrounding Roxy Ann, which had a 633-acre fire in 2009. High fire risk comes from the south as well, where the Almeda fire destroyed 2,500 residences in 2020, with recovery still underway. Earthquakes and volcanoes such as Crater Lake and Mount Shasta also are a potential risk for the valley, though a lower risk than fire danger, according to the study. Triton recommends replacing aging Fire Station 15, located in northeast Medford, with a new station located farther north to better position firefighters in this rapidly growing sector. Fire Station 15, the oldest in the city, is also the busiest but is in poor condition with no fire sprinkler system, and it is likely beyond repair or remodeling, according to the analysis. It is no longer located in the most strategic location because of growth in the north and east part of the city. The toilets in the station’s bathroom rock from side to side while in use. Triton recommends the city begin negotiations with the airport to become the primary fire-service provider. Medford fire currently responds to many calls at the airport as a backup to the airport’s own fire operations. In the longer term, Triton recommends building a fire station at the airport. It also recommends a fire station eventually be located downtown, rather than relying on stations outside the core area. The fire department’s administrative offices operate near City Hall. In the report, Triton points to a number of deficiencies in Medford’s operations, including the inability to have at least a four-person crew on fire engines and ladder trucks, which is considered industry standard. Fire officials estimate it would require hiring six more firefighters to meet the four-person standard. Balky bay doors that allow fire vehicles to exit during an emergency have high rates of failure at the three newest fire stations, forcing engines to back out of the station, slowing their response time. Fire stations 12, 13 and 14 were built in the last five years, and Triton found they were in excellent condition despite a few problems. Ventilation systems at some stations are not adequate to get rid of exhaust gas from vehicles. Medford fire responds to a sizable number of medical emergency calls, and Triton recommends creating a single-role EMT (emergency medical technician) and paramedics squad at Fire Station 13, located next to Bear Creek Park. The squad would be better situated at Station 15, but that facility couldn’t handle the additional personnel. Ultimately, the squad should be located at a new downtown fire station. The report points out firefighters are particularly busy around the Bear Creek Greenway, dealing with homeless issues ranging from fires to medical calls. While response times are acceptable in most areas of the city, the northeastern and southwestern portions don’t have adequate response times, according to the analysis. Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at [email protected].