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Applegate Valley Fire District #9 Stations
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Volunteers are key to staffing the seven stations in Applegate Valley Fire District #9.
Map by Annette Parsons.
by firefighters
who live in
the neighborhood, depending upon to their closest station or prepare to head Pr o b a b l y n o t g e t t i n g t o o m u c h
the severity of the situation. Being the to HQ. The HQ team keeps rolling to sleep, though!
Applegate, we also have a number of their call. They know our volunteers have
So, yes, we really do need more
emergency calls during the summer their backs!
volunteers in every corner of the district,
recreation season, including those from
FYI: Multiple calls are frequent but not just as firefighters! Our valley and
sightseers visiting our local wineries.
when a lightning storm rolls across our fire district are growing in more than
As someone who usually has a scanner our valley. On a hot, dry summer one way. Think about it: This valley is
turned on to hear 911 calls, I’ve often evening this situation challenges AVRFD all of ours.
heard several different emergency calls staff and volunteers alike. When a
Talk to Chief Michael McLaughlin
come in for AVRFD at the same time. lightning storm is brewing, every for his thoughts on growth, training, and
HQ firefighters respond to the first call. firefighter is on alert, and some will resources.
All other volunteers know to “move up” bunk at their station for the night. Sandy Shaffer • sassyoneor@gmail.com
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Continued from page 1
Time to “huddle.” A meeting of the
Applegate Lions Club was the perfect place
to talk. Through pancake breakfasts and
spaghetti dinners, the Lions Club members
tried to raise money to start their own fire
district in our valley. According to Brett,
they eventually realized that “the only way
to raise the kind of funds needed would be
through the formation of a district.” So, on
May 12, 1980, the Applegate Valley Fire
District was officially founded.
The district’s first station was built
by Lions Club members in the town of
Applegate on North Applegate Road,
just off what is now Highway 238. Since
then, we’ve added six more stations
across the valley: Station 2 is out near
McKee Bridge on Upper Applegate Road;
Station 3 is on Upper Applegate Road
in Ruch (now district headquarters).
Station 4 is on Highway 238 at Water
Gap Road; Station 5 is at the top of the
Jacksonville Hill; Station 6 is on Kubli
Road east of Highway 238, and Station
7 is just off Sterling Creek Road on
Griffin Lane.
Headquarters (HQ) is staffed by the
fire chief, operations chief, maintenance
chief, and the office manager. In addition,
three captains, many volunteer firefighters,
and six student firefighters rotate 24-hour
stints at HQ. All are trained as firefighters,
first-responders for medical calls,
and water rescuers. (Don’t forget—we’ve
got a river running through our valley!)
So, most volunteers are fully trained for
just about anything the Applegate can
throw at them!
Volunteers fill many jobs at HQ,
and trained volunteer firefighters/
first responders from across the valley
cover the needs in the other six stations.
Sl
12 Spring 2021 Applegater
■ VOLUNTEERS
¯
Free anti-overdose
drugs distributed
Free distribution of lifesaving overdose medication and HIV tests is set for 10:30
am to 1:30 pm Sunday, March 7, at the Sugarloaf Center, 206 Tetherow Road, in
Williams. Park in the parking lot and take a short walk to the center, which is at
the end of the gated driveway.
Volunteers from the nonprofit group Rogue Harm Reduction will offer free
doses of naloxone to take home, along with instructions for use. They’ll also give
out free fentanyl test strips, take-home HIV tests, and condoms.
Free overdose response training takes about 20 minutes.
Safety protocols include masks, gloves, and social distancing.
Rogue Harm Reduction, a volunteer-run, nonprofit health collective, promotes
community wellness and harm reduction strategies in response to substance use
disorders and other community health concerns. The events are held the first
Sunday of each month.
For more information, email rogueharmreduction@gmail.com.