About the District . . .

The District is a Rural Fire Protection District governed by an elected, five member Board of Directors.  District 1 provides fire protection to 210 square miles in and around the City of Klamath Falls serving approximately 52,000 patrons. We serve communities including the South Suburbs, Midland, Falcon Heights, Plum Valley, Running Y, Poe Valley and Olene. Our assessed value is $2.1 billion with a fixed tax rate of $ 2.8822 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The General Fund budget for this year is $ 7.6 million while the budget for the Ambulance Enterprise Fund is $ 1.9 million.  In 2005, our employees responded to 5,500 alarms.  These responses were 79% EMS, 17% non-fire, and 4.5% fire related.  The District operates an ambulance service covering all of the district and surrounding areas known as Klamath County Ambulance Service Area No. 5. We also operate one of the state funded Hazardous Materials Teams.  

Klamath County Fire District No. 1 exists today from the merger of two fire departments. The City of Klamath Falls Fire Department was established with the formation of the City of Klamath Falls in 1905. The Fire Department actually existed prior to the City from a merger of two rival hose companies in 1903. In 1931 the Central Fire Station was built and still exists today as Station 6. Additional stations East (Station 3) and North (Station 4) were added in 1963-64. The original Suburban Volunteer Department area formed in 1946 and became a rural fire protection district in 1947, Station 1 was it's headquarters .During the 1970's and 80's the areas outside the suburbs of the City of Klamath Falls were added to the district. These included Olene, Falcon Heights, Midland, Poe Valley and Running Y Ranch. Due to these additions and the growth of the suburban area Station 2 was built in 1978 and Station 5 was built in 1982 . At this time the district name was changed to Klamath County Fire District No. 1 to better reflect the entire area we serve.

In 1992 the City of Klamath Falls and Klamath County Fire District No. 1 signed an agreement to merge the City Fire Department into Klamath County Fire District No. 1. This was approved by the voters in November 1994. This was done to reduce duplication of services and increase staffing of engines to one captain and two firefighters at all times. In 1998, KCFD No. 1 purchased the ambulance service from Sky Lakes Medical Center (formerly MWMC) and became the ambulance service provider for our district and portions of the surrounding area. This added two 24-hour ambulances and twelve personnel to the district.

About the Area . . .

Klamath Falls is the transportation and service center of the Klamath Basin.  The Basin is one of the most biologically and geologically diverse areas on earth.  We are located on the high, dry, eastern side of the beautiful Cascade Mountain range in southeastern Oregon.  Klamath County is the home to Crater Lake National Park and is known for the abundance of woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife. The county has six wildlife refuges, sits on the Pacific Flyway providing a rest stop for millions of migrating birds, and is the home to the largest winter population of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Klamath Falls is centrally located and served by Highways 39, 97, and 140.  We are 90 minutes east of Medford, 2.5 hours south of Bend, 3 hours southeast of Eugene and 5 hours southeast of Portland and 5 hours north of Reno.  Klamath Falls receives transportation services from both Amtrak and Horizon Airlines.  Scenic Moore Park is located on the southern shore of Upper Klamath Lake, the largest body of fresh water in the Northwest.  Klamath County abounds with golfing, camping, biking, hiking, fishing, and hunting opportunities.