With the increasing frequency of devastating wildfires across the West, fire safety and prevention have become pressing concerns for many communities. Umatilla County Fire District 1 Fire Chief Scott Stanton has been at the forefront of efforts to educate and protect local residents. His department is now creating a new educational resource to serve the community—a fire prevention education trailer. The trailer is expected to be ready in time for Fire Prevention week in October.
The unit will be retrofitted from a donated trailer and will travel throughout Umatilla County and surrounding areas. “This trailer will be a valuable tool for raising awareness and educating the public about fire risks and prevention strategies,” Chief Stanton explains.
The trailer is designed to look like a home so kids and families can step inside and understand the importance of escape plans, where fires can start, and more.
Key uses for the trailer include:
- Community Events: Appearances at local fairs, including the Union County Fair, especially during October’s Fire Prevention Month.
- Fire Safety Training: Led by retired resource officers and educators, the trailer will provide fire prevention education for homeowners and renters, focusing on securing dwellings and recognizing fire hazards.
- Regional Sharing: The trailer will be available for use by other fire departments in neighboring counties, maximizing its reach and impact.
Chief Stanton acknowledges the unique challenges rural Oregon communities face when it comes to emergency response:
“Our service area covers 620 square miles. In Hermiston, Stanfield, or Umatilla, response times aren’t too bad. But when you get out to remote parts of Umatilla and Morrow County, it can take 30-40 minutes or more for us to reach someone. That’s a long time in an emergency.”
He highlights the challenges faced by small, volunteer-led fire departments in rural areas:
- Volunteer Shortages: “In small towns like Echo and Pilot Rock, most volunteers work during the day, leaving nobody available to respond to emergencies during the weekdays.”
- Limited Medical Resources: “Some places are fortunate to have a couple of retired EMTs, but without them, there’s no first responder to administer life-saving care, like using an AED during cardiac emergencies.”
To address these challenges, Chief Stanton and other stakeholders are working on creating a unified approach to fire services in the county. The vision is to bring the county under one Fire Authority, rather than having several distinct fire departments. This change would not cost taxpayers more money, and would offer many benefits to the first responders and those they serve.
“In February, we held our first meeting with mayors, city managers, fire board directors, and fire chiefs to discuss forming a Fire Authority,” explains Chief Stanton. “We’re looking at 190 agreements to consolidate six or seven fire departments into one operational department. It’s a big undertaking, but it would significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our services.”
Since that initial meeting, the fire chiefs have come together to discuss a budget and an Incident Command Chart, so everyone understands how they would collaborate in emergency events. The chiefs have shared the vision with their home station staff and volunteers and are currently gathering input. The larger Fire Authority plans to meet again in September.
Chief Stanton says he is in lockstep with Pendleton Fire Chief Tony Pierotti. “He’s very much in tune with this, ‘How do we do it better for our citizens?’ That’s where we have to approach this.”
Chief Stanton’s forward-thinking leadership and collaboration with organizations like the Roundhouse Foundation demonstrate a commitment to protecting and educating the community. The new fire prevention trailer and ongoing efforts to address rural fire service challenges are just the beginning of Umatilla County’s path toward safer, more resilient communities.
