NOVEMBER 2025

Hoodland Fire District #74 Newsletter

Proudly serving the communities of  Marmot, Cherryville, Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron, and Government Camp

🦃🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from Hoodland Fire! 🍂🧡

Wishing you a day full of food 🥧🍗, family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦, and fun 😄. We’re grateful for our amazing community! 🙏🚒

Stay safe and enjoy every moment! 💛

1. Chief's Message

Dear Hoodland Community,

As we approach the holiday season and prepare to welcome the new year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the strong support and wonderful spirit of our community. This time of year, brings joy, togetherness, and reflection, but it can also present some unique safety challenges. It is my priority as your Fire Chief to ensure that we all remain safe, healthy, and protected during this festive season.

I am keenly aware that this season marks a time when the frequency and severity of incidents are typically elevated. With that in mind, here are a few important safety reminders for the holidays and the year ahead:

🎄Holiday Fire Safety

• Decorate Safely: If you're using a live Christmas tree, make sure to keep it well-watered. Keep all trees away from heat sources like fireplaces, heaters, and candles. If you prefer artificial trees, make sure they're labeled as fire-resistant.
• Lighting: Inspect holiday lights for any frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections. Never overload electrical circuits and always turn off your lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Candles: Candles add warmth and beauty to your holiday celebrations but always use them with caution. Never leave candles unattended, and keep them away from decorations, curtains, and anything else that could catch fire.

🍗Cooking Safety

• Stay in the Kitchen: If you're cooking, especially with hot oils or frying, never leave the kitchen unattended. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby and remember that water and grease don't mix. If a pan catches fire, cover it with a lid and turn off the heat.

❄️ Winter Safety Tips

Winter storms and heavy rain can create hazardous driving conditions. Before traveling:

• Check the weather forecast and road conditions.
• If conditions are poor, stay off the roads if possible.
• Keep your car winter-ready with a full tank of gas, warm clothing, blankets, and emergency supplies.

Winter storms can also lead to power outages, which may last several days. Plan ahead:

• Stock up on necessary supplies like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and batteries.
• Make sure you have alternative heating options and a plan to stay safe if power is out.

Carbon Monoxide Safety:

• Ensure your home heating system is functioning properly.
• Never use a gas stove or portable heater to warm a closed room.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector to protect your family from this silent and dangerous gas.

As we reflect on the past year, let's remember the importance of community and the strength that we share. Your commitment to fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and looking out for each other plays a crucial role in making the Hoodland community a safer place to live.

On behalf of the entire Fire District, I wish you all a very Happy Holiday, a Happy New Year, and a safe holiday season!

Thank you again and stay safe,

James Price

Fire Chief

Hoodland Fire District #74

2. Fire Safety Tips

🏠 Clean Your Chimney🧹

Hoodland Fire District is pleased to offer FREE chimney brushes to residents and property owners within the District! Keeping your chimney clean prevents dangerous creosote buildup and reduces the risk of chimney fires.

How It Works:

• ✅ No charge to borrow the equipment
• ⏱️ Return the brush within 24 hours
• 📏 Measure your chimney before coming in to ensure you select the correct size brush. The right size is crucial for safe and effective cleaning—the brush should be in direct contact with the sides of the flue without getting stuck.
• 🔗 HFD Chimney Brush Loan Program

3. Recent News & Events

🌲Chipping Program in partnership with Ant Farm

The first event was launched in Government Camp, helping residents reduce wildfire fuels and make their homes safer. The second event was in Rhododendron. Keep an eye out for upcoming chipping events—you don’t want to miss the chance to get rid of yard debris and protect your property!

📸 Main Station Project Update

Visualizing the Future of Hoodland Fire's New Main Station 🚒

Design planning for our new Main Station at 25400 E Salmon River Road, Welches, OR 97067 is progressing smoothly and on budget! Residents and community members can now see design renderings of the exterior of the station.

The station will include:

• Modern, safe accommodations for our crews 👨‍🚒
• Larger apparatus bays for fire engines and equipment 🚒
• ADA-compliant facilities ♿
• Community meeting space 🏛️

This project is made possible thanks to voter-approved bond funding. Visit HFD Fire Station Project Overview page for future updates!

📝 Open Budget Committee Position

Submit a Letter of Interest by January 2, 2026

Hoodland Fire District #74 currently has an Open Budget Committee Position. This is a fantastic opportunity for community members to get involved, contribute their insights, and help guide the financial planning and oversight of the District.

As a Budget Committee member, you will have the chance to:

• Review and provide input on the District’s annual budget
• Help ensure responsible allocation of public funds
• Participate in discussions that shape the District’s financial priorities

We encourage interested individuals who are passionate about supporting their community to submit a letter of interest to hoodland@hoodlandfire.gov no later than January 2, 2026.

Your participation can make a meaningful impact on how Hoodland Fire District #74 manages its resources and serves the community.

📦 Surplus Items

Hoodland Fire continues to offer items for surplus through GovDeals.com. This platform ensures transparency and efficiency, benefiting both the District and the community. Community members and other agencies are encouraged to check available items. This helps the District manage resources efficiently and supports local agencies and residents. GovDeals.com provides government agencies with a streamlined, secure, and equitable solution for managing the sale of surplus property.

4. Training

👨‍🚒 2025-2026 Training Academy

Our Volunteer Training Academy is in full swing, with classes taking place every weekend. This year’s academy is one of the largest we’ve hosted, welcoming 14 new volunteers who are enthusiastic, dedicated, and eager to serve our community.

With such a large class, we've been navigating several logistical challenges—ordering uniforms, coordinating instructors, ensuring enough equipment, and making space for hands-on drills. Despite these hurdles, the excitement and increased engagement in volunteering highlight the community’s strong support for Hoodland Fire District.

Even with the busy schedule and long training days, both our instructors and trainees continue to demonstrate incredible motivation, teamwork, and resilience. We’re proud of their hard work and grateful for their commitment to learning the skills needed to keep our community safe.

🌧️ Check out this video showing our new recruits training rain or shine—on the mountain, it’s more often rain 🌧️

🧗‍♂️ Rope Rescue Training in Action

At Hoodland Fire, continuous training is at the core of keeping our community safe. Our firefighters regularly sharpen their rope rescue skills—skills that require focus, teamwork, technical knowledge, and trust. The training simulates challenging real-world scenarios where precise movements and quick thinking can make all the difference.

Recently, our crews completed a series of rope rescue refreshers, practicing everything from anchoring systems to controlled lowering and raising techniques. These drills ensure that when the unexpected happens—such as steep terrain rescues or remote-access medical calls—our team is fully prepared.

And that preparation paid off. Shortly after completing this training, our firefighters were called into action during a multi-agency emergency involving difficult terrain. The same skills practiced only weeks earlier were immediately and effectively put to use, contributing to a safe and successful outcome.

This is why ongoing training matters. It keeps our responders ready. It strengthens interagency cooperation. And most importantly—it ensures we can continue to protect our community with the highest level of professionalism and care.

5. Upcoming Events

📋 Hoodland Fire Monthly Board Meeting

• Date: December 9, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Location: Main Station, 69634 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR
• Details: Our Board of Directors meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. The public is always invited to attend! Members of the public are allowed to speak for 3 minutes under “Persons to be Heard” 🗣️
• 🔗Hoodland Fire District Board Meetings

🎄 Hoodland Community Christmas Baskets

• Applications Due: December 12, 2025
• Drop off Applications: Main Station, 69634 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR
• Details: For those who need help this holiday season with food and gifts for the children 
• 🔗Hoodland Christmas Baskets

📝 Open Budget Committee Position

• Letter of Interest Due: January 2, 2026
• Location: hoodland@hoodlandfire.gov or Main Station, 69634 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR 
• Details: The Budget Committee reviews and approves the District’s proposed budget before it is formally adopted. Time commitment involves serving a three-year term and attending 2-4 meetings per year.
• 🔗HFD Open Budget Committee Position

6. Emergency Preparedness

🚨 It’s important to be ready for storms, power outages, and hazards. One of the easiest ways to stay informed is through Clackamas County Public Alerts

• 📱 Sign up for Clackamas County Public Alerts: These alerts notify you via text, phone, or email about emergencies in your area—including wildfires, floods, winter storms, road closures, and other hazards.
• ✅ How to sign up: Visit Clackamas County Public Alerts and create a free account. You can customize which alerts you receive and how you get them.
• ⏰ Stay informed in real-time: Alerts are sent immediately, giving you time to take action—evacuate if necessary, avoid dangerous roads, or secure your home.
• 🌐 Other resource: Follow Hoodland Fire District on social media for updates.

7. Member Spotlight

When did you join the team?

 2019 on the Budget Committee and 2025 on the Board of Directors

Most memorable moment with HFD?

New Station Bond passing and being elected to the Board of Directors

How has HFD changed you?

Became far more involved in the community and aware of community issues and events

What's your favorite part about being a member of HFD?

Personal connections

What's your day job?

Retired attorney

What's your favorite snack?

Sweet and salty snacks like trail mix or honey roasted peanuts

8. Contact Information

STAY CONNECTED WITH US

• Phone: (503) 622-3256
• Website: www.hoodlandfire.gov
• Social Media: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and safety tips.
• Address: 69634 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR 97067
• Email: hoodland@hoodlandfire.gov

🙏 Thank You for Your Continued Support!

Be Ready! Be Informed! Be Safe!
~ The Hoodland Fire District #74 Team