Jacksonville Review – June 2026

LAST MONTH, I highlighted the recent accomplishments of our Police Department and its strong commitment to community policing. This month, the focus turns to the Jacksonville Fire Department and the many programs and services it provides to educate residents and enhance safety throughout our community as we enter fire season. The operation of the fire department broadly falls into two critical areas: Fire Prevention and Fire Operations.

On the prevention side, the department has been fortunate this year to secure the resources necessary to employ a part-time Fire Inspector. For many years, routine fire and life safety inspections were difficult to complete consistently due to limited staffing. Fire Inspector Lauren Ridout has worked diligently to address that backlog while also assisting new businesses and helping existing businesses stay current with evolving fire code requirements.

To date this year, approximately 155 business inspections have been completed. Jacksonville currently has 74 businesses equipped with fire sprinkler systems or commercial kitchen suppression hoods, and the department has maintained an impressive 96% compliance rate to ensure these systems remain code compliant. Jacksonville Fire Department (JFD) has also partnered with the Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to inspect several high-hazard occupancies and event locations throughout the city, including Pioneer Village, the Britt Music & Arts Festival, and Jacksonville Elementary School.

Additional fire prevention efforts have included two citywide cleanup days and the placement of eight dumpsters in Firewise neighborhoods to assist residents in reducing combustible vegetation and debris. The department also continues to enforce municipal code requirements for weed and grass abatement and oversee the self-inspection program for short-term rental properties.

Public education remains one of the most important tools in fire prevention. This year, JFD provided presentations and community outreach programs at Pioneer Village, Royal Oak Park, and for the Jacksonville Boosters. The department’s Community Evacuation Presentation was so well attended that it became standing-room only, prompting an additional presentation before this edition goes to print.

On the operations side, JFD placed two new, state-of-the-art apparatus into service this year. The City purchased a new Type 1 fire engine, while a new heavy brush rig was acquired through the Office of the State Fire Marshal. These additions were critically important, as several of the department’s previous engines were nearly 30 years old, approaching the end of their service life, and requiring increasingly frequent and costly repairs.

The department also implemented station alerting improvements, continued its successful student intern program with Rogue Community College, and tested 84 fire hydrants throughout the city.

The department’s strong tradition of pursuing outside funding opportunities through grants has allowed them to purchase equipment that allows them to do their job more effectively. Successful grants this year funded additional summer staffing during fire season through the OSFM, new extrication tools through a Spire Grant, four new sets of turnout gear through the Firehouse Subs Foundation, and new fire hose through the Josephine County Foundation. Altogether, grants awarded to the department this year totaled more than $150,000.

These continued investments in personnel, equipment, and prevention efforts helped Jacksonville maintain an ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating of 2. ISO ratings evaluate a community’s fire protection capabilities on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 representing the highest level of protection and 10 representing an unprotected area. Maintaining a Class 2 rating is an exceptional achievement for a city of Jacksonville’s size.

The reality we continue to face across the West is that wildfires will remain a part of life for years to come. However, through proactive prevention, community education, training, and strategic investment in equipment and personnel, the Jacksonville Fire Department has significantly reduced risk and strengthened our community’s ability to respond effectively when emergencies occur.

It is increasingly uncommon for a city the size of Jacksonville to maintain its own fire department. Not only are we proud to have the oldest fire department in the State of Oregon, but in my opinion, we also have one of the finest. If you have the opportunity, stop by the fire station and let the crews know how much they are appreciated. Better yet, bring cookies.

Author’s note: In last month’s article on the Jacksonville Police dept., I inadvertently omitted recognition of the contributions of City Councilor Talon Reed. While Talon has long been a champion of that agency, I wanted readers to know that his advocacy and enormous efforts directly resulted in JPD’s acquisition of both the SUV’s and the e-bikes.

Andrea Thompson is a Jacksonville City Councilor and is City Council President. Reach her at councilorthompson@jacksonvilleor.us.