La Pine gets $2.49 million grant for fire station upgrades
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The La Pine Rural Fire Protection District has received a $2,499,000 grant for seismic upgrades and expansion at its main headquarters, Station 101 on Huntington Road. The funds will support facility improvements aimed at enhancing firefighter safety and emergency response capabilities.
Station 101 serves as the central operational hub for the district's firefighters, paramedics and emergency responders. District officials noted that many fire stations across Oregon were built before modern seismic standards and firefighter health-and-safety guidelines were established. The grant will cover most project costs to bring the facility into alignment with current best practices without imposing new taxes on local residents.
The planned remodel and expansion will add new dormitory accommodations for emergency response personnel, modern contamination-reduction spaces and expanded apparatus bays. Dedicated turnout gear cleaning and storage areas will be created specifically to help reduce firefighter exposure to carcinogens.
Fire Chief Erick Holsey highlighted the importance of strengthening the district's primary operational base to withstand severe natural disasters and support future community growth.
“This grant is a transformational investment in the future of public safety for our community,” Holsey said. “Station 101 serves as the operational heart of our District. These seismic upgrades will help ensure that our firefighters, paramedics and emergency responders can continue serving our citizens when they are needed most, even following a major seismic event. At the same time, the expansion project allows us to improve firefighter safety, increase our response capabilities and prepare for the future growth of our community.”
The expanded facility will also house a specialized firefighting vehicle being donated by the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District. The aerial telesquirt fire apparatus provides specialized firefighting and rescue capabilities for commercial buildings, multi-family housing, schools and other low-rise structures throughout the district.
Holsey noted that having adequate space to house and maintain the donated vehicle is essential for maintaining operational readiness.
“The addition of this apparatus gives our firefighters another valuable tool to protect lives and property,” Holsey said. “Having the facility space to properly house and maintain this unit ensures it will be ready when our community needs it and the facility will have the capacity for any necessary future aerial upgrade.”
District officials confirmed that the project will not require additional taxes or impose added costs on constituents. If extra funding is needed for the remodel, the district will use its existing capital fund. Board President Michael Vietzke emphasized the long-term value of securing external funding.
“This project represents a responsible investment in both community resilience and taxpayer resources,” Vietzke said. “The Board has worked diligently to position the district for opportunities like this. By securing outside grant funding, we are able to make critical infrastructure improvements that will benefit our community for generations while reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.”
Planning and design activities are expected to begin in the coming months. Construction timelines will be announced as the project advances.
