Alfalfa’s new fire department in need of water

Alfalfa Fire and Rescue started operations in the late spring of 2016. Since then, they’ve been searching for a stable supply of water.

The small squad of 14 volunteer firefighters has been active for several months. The fire chief said Tuesdasy he is happy with the progress they’re making and recognizes the importance of having a fire department in a place too far out for city engines to reach in time.

“It’s just exciting that we’ve gone from an area without fire protection to an area that now has fire protection,” Fire Chief Ron Thompson said. “We had a fire a couple weeks ago that firefighters responded to, protected an exposure on and prevented that fire from spreading.”

But in order to keep serving Alfalfa, a small, rural community about 15 miles east of Bend, they need a reliable source of water.

“The problem with Alfalfa is we have no fire hydrants,” Thompson said. “We’re getting our water either from the general store, from wells or ponds in the district, or the water ditches.”

AFD currently has two engines that both hold 750 gallons of water, with 750 gallon/minute pumps — meaning an engine can run out of water in just one minute. So the department has made purchasing a water tender, which is essentially a big portable water tanker, a top priority.

Looking ahead to the far future, the department, which voters approved creation of in 2013, recently purchased a plot of land across the street from their current base of operations on Alfalfa Market Road, with the plan of building a brand new fire station this summer.

Until then, the goal is to purchase that water tender and improve their firefighting skills.

“You know, we’re making progress out here,” Thompson said. “We still have really good community support. The volunteer firefighters have committed themselves — their time and their effort.”

Another goal for Alfalfa Fire is to get oxygen tanks and training for indoor firefighting. As of now, they’re only trained for outdoor fires.