DEPARTMENT HISTORY

On October 1, 2019, the administrative offices of Siuslaw Valley Fire / Rescue and the Western Lane Ambulance District officially combined to form Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority (WLFEA). This step was taken to formalize the close working relationship already in place between the two organizations. In 2020, the WLFEA Board directed the Lane Council of Governments to address WLFEA’s emergency services Strategic Planning needs. The resulting Strategic Plan will further consolidation efforts by outlining shared WLFEA mission, vision, initiatives, goals, and objectives.

Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue (SVFR) is an all-hazards fire and emergency service response District that was originally formed in 1949. Over the years, SVFR has consolidated with several surrounding fire service organizations and now protects the coastal portion of Lane County. The geographic response area of SVFR includes a 120-square mile area extending north to mile post 181 on Highway 101, south to mile post 198.5 near the Douglas County line, and east to mile post nine on Highway 126. Included in this area are the City of Florence, Dunes City, the Three Rivers Casino, and an approximate permanent population of 17,500 people. SVFR serves the community with six fire stations. The District has a long history of excellence and progressive thinking, which is the result of the high-quality people who have served the District throughout its history.

Western Lane Ambulance District (WLAD) has provided Emergency Medical Services to the citizens and visitors of Western Lane County Since 1976. WLAD serves an area encompassing approximately 564 square miles of cities, towns, forests, beaches, sand dunes, and other interesting and sometimes challenging terrain. Highly trained Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians respond to medical emergencies in Western Lane County with state-of-the-art ambulances, medical equipment, devices and medications. WLAD provides a Critical Care Advanced Life Support Unit with specially trained Critical Care Paramedics to transfer patients from Peace Harbor Hospital to larger regional medical centers— such as Sacred Heart Riverbend, Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital, and other such medical centers—when the patient’s condition requires they be transported to a facility that can provide specialty care and treatments.

All WLFEA Emergency Services provide the highest level of customer/patient care and look forward to continuing to provide this level of service in the future. Educational programs for the local community— such as fire prevention, SAFEKIDS, and first aid programs like Heart Attack React and CPR training—are available to all individuals and groups (some for a nominal fee). In addition to CPR and first aid classes, WLFEA Emergency Services also provide outreach to senior citizen groups and present courses such as Stroke Prevention and Intervention, Diabetes Awareness, High Blood Pressure Clinics, etc.

WLFEA, along with SVFR and WLAD, addresses community emergency service needs with 24 full-time employees, 20 part-time employees and 30 reserves (volunteers), one Operations Chief, six administrative staff, and a Fire and EMS Chief.