In the November 2018 election, the Canby Fire District proposed a 10-year, $4.9 million capital bond. It was the first bond measure in the district’s long history, and voters passed it overwhelmingly, with almost 64 percent in favor.
The bond dollars have to go toward capital improvements, not staffing or operations. They will go toward the purchase of a new ladder truck, upgrades of the district’s firefighting and medical equipment, and repairs or replacement of other aging apparatus.
But the major use of the funds will be improvements to the main station on South Pine Street in Canby, and the establishment of a Northside Medical Response Station, which would improve emergency medical response north of the railroad tracks. About 70 percent of the district’s calls are medical, and responders can be delayed several minutes if they encounter a train while attempting to cross the tracks to the north side.
At a recent meeting, Fire Chief Jim Davis told the Canby City Council that they are in the process of locating and securing property for the northside station. They plan to break ground on the facility early next year.
The main station on South Pine was originally built in 1996, and its roof, floor and other critical areas are in need of serious maintenance or repair. Also, staffing levels for the district have more than doubled since the station was first constructed. The renovations would not only expand, but also rework, staff quarters to give firefighters more privacy while on duty.
The Canby Fire District covers 54 square miles and serves over 30,000 residents and businesses in the towns of Canby and Barlow, as well as the surrounding area.