Jefferson County Fire & EMS under fire over allegations including misuse of agency funds; Fire Chief Blake responds

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Jefferson County Fire & EMS agency is facing allegations, including misuse of agency funds, potential layoffs, a budget crisis and an issue relating to the staff’s retirement accounts.

In July of 2022, Jefferson County Fire District #1, and Jefferson County Emergency Medical Service – also known as EMS, officially consolidated into one agency. 

The new agency is now called Jefferson County Fire & EMS.

Since then, the new agency has been plagued with rumors over the misuse of funds, layoffs, a budget crisis, and it’s been alleged  and even more concerning, loans that have been taken out by the agency to cover expenses.

Some employees are upset because Jefferson County Fire & EMS have allegedly not paid the staff’s PERS – their retirement, for two years.

NewsChannel 21 reached out to Jefferson County Commissioners, the county’s Sheriff, and District Attorney Steven Leriche.

Each responded back saying, they have nothing to do with called Jefferson County Fire & EMS, because it’s governed by its own, independent body.

We also contacted the agency’s governing board members, Kim Stout, Rob Galyen, Ryan Boyle, Chris DuPont and Dustin Miller.

Galyen and DuPont responded, referring us to the fire chief. He did get back to us.

Even though Fire Chief Jeff Blake would not speak on-camera with us without approval from his board, he did address the allegations.

With regard to the misuse of funds:

Chief Blake said because Fire merged with EMS, operational costs are not fully covered because they are not fully reimbursed for EMS services. Blake says, the agency has to cover areas getting service, but they are not fully reimbursed for doing so.

Chief Blake also says every employee enrolled in PERS will get their full retirement payout once they become eligible.

Blake acknowledged there were mistakes made in the merging of the two agencies, but assures staff will be paid on time.

As to the issue of layoffs, Chief Blake says although the agency values and needs each and every one of their employees, due to past billing issues and not being able to be fully reimbursed from their EMS work, they may require layoffs to balance the budget.

Again, Chief Blake admits there were mistakes made through the merger process that he takes responsibility for, but insists nothing was intentional and they continue to work through smoothing out any administrative wrinkles that arose during the blending of their two departments.

Blake also says these issues brought to light were not from the majority of employees, but from only a few.