Press Releases

 

November 17, 2016 - Next steps to finalize Lane Fire Authority merger

 

October 18, 2016 - Merger on ballot for Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue

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October 6, 2016 - Questions about the merger? We’ve got the answers!

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September 23, 2016 - Fire chief available to answer questions about merger

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August 19, 2016 - Voters asked to finalize merger between Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue

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July 20, 2016 - Boards pass resolution asking voters to finalize merger of Lane Fire Authority

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June 9, 2016 - ​​Boards of Directors to meet on merger resolution

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May 18, 2016 - ​​Lane Fire Authority: Savings from merger would staff another ambulance during peak call times

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April 11, 2016 - Lane Fire Authority moves closer to merger

 

March 2016 - Lane Fire Authority offers home safety program

 

February 2016 - Public agencies turn to Lane Fire Authority for training on active shooter response: Media invited to attend training on February 15

 

Lane Fire Authority started a class in 2012 to help public agencies respond to an active shooter emergency. The class has taken off to the point that the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training now provides funding for any public fire and emergency medical services agency that wants to participate.

 

Assistant Chief Chris Heppel, who is the course director, has trained emergency responders, educators and law enforcement across the state of Oregon. In 2015, 20 agencies participated in the class, which reached more than 200 people. Heppel has 11 classes scheduled for the first quarter of 2016 already. MORE

 

January 2016 - Fire agencies pass annual auditsFire authority credited with improving districts’ financial health

 

Lane County Fire District 1, Lane Rural Fire/Rescue and Lane Fire Authority passed their recent audits for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The audits are an annual requirement for all public agencies in Oregon.

 

This is a normal occurrence for all three fire agencies, and has happened as long as Fire Chief Terry Ney can remember. What is new, however, is that the independent auditor credited the financial health of the fire districts to efficiencies realized as a result of the partnership as Lane Fire Authority. Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue have been operating under a special agreement as Lane Fire Authority since 2012 to reduce costs and improve emergency services.. MORE

 

December  2015 - Lane Fire Authority improves Public Protection Classifications with ISO: New insurance ratings take effect April 1, 2016

 

Lane Fire Authority saw a significant improvement in its Public Protection Classification (PPC) ratings with ISO, a leading source of information about property and casualty insurance risk. This means property owners served by the fire authority are likely to save money on their insurance premiums when the new ratings take effect on April 1, 2016.

 

The fire authority credits this improvement to a planned merger between Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue. The two fire agencies are operating under a special agreement as Lane Fire Authority to share costs and improve emergency services for area families and businesses. Voters likely will be asked to finalize the merger during the November 2016 General Election. MORE

 

November 2015 - Savings from merger would hire additional Paramedic:  Fire authority wants to staff a third ambulance full-time

 

Lane Fire Authority reports that the cost savings from a merger between Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue would be enough to hire one additional full-time paramedic.  The new paramedic would help staff the ambulance housed at the Veneta Fire Station for customers of Lane Fire Authority.

 

Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue operate under a special agreement as Lane Fire Authority to reduce costs and improve emergency services for residents of both fire districts. Voters likely will be asked to approve the merger sometime in 2016. Until that time, the fire agencies have three boards of directors, pass three budgets, and pay for three insurance policies and audits every year to comply with state law. MORE

 

November 2015 - Lane Fire Authority wants to get the word out

Lane Fire Authority is looking for ways to improve communication with its taxpayers. The fire authority has updated its web site (www.lanefire.org), redesigned its newsletter, and regularly shares information through the local news media. It also shares information through its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaneFireAuthority. 
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Community members can share their ideas by visiting Lane Fire Authority’s web site and clicking on “Contact Us.” Those without internet access are encouraged to write Chief Ney at P.O. Box 398, Veneta, OR 97487.  MORE

 

September 2015 - Chief Available to Speak

Fire Chief Terry Ney of Lane Fire Authority welcomes invitations to provide a 15-minute update to local service organizations and homeowner associations (HOAs) in its service territory. Lane Fire Authority’s area covers 276 square miles in the Willamette Valley and was formed by combining two fire districts, Lane County Fire District 1 and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue, which have operated under a special agreement since 2012.

 

“Our partnership is working – but it’s not official yet,” said Chief Ney. “Presenting to our community groups is one more way we can let the people we serve know how working together has improved emergency coverage and services for both fire districts.” MORE

 

August 2015 - LFA assists statewide in wildland firefighting efforts

Wildland fires are raging throughout the northwest and Lane Fire Authority has been pitching in to help. The fire agency has logged more than 3,200 hours for personnel, apparatus and equipment to help combat four large wildland fires in Oregon since the end of July. Thanks to a special partnership, Lane Fire Authority has been able to lend these resources without impacting emergency service levels for people at home. MORE

 

July 2015 - LFA's celebrates three years of serving community 

Fire Chief Terry Ney says that the partnership is working, but it’s not official yet. Both fire districts wanted to make sure working together would be of benefit before asking voters to finalize the merger, which will likely happen sometime in 2016.

 

“Our community is receiving better emergency services and it’s more cost-effective for taxpayers,” said Chief Ney. “The next step is to finalize the merger sometime next year and reduce all the bureaucracy.” MORE